deserving
Americanadjective
-
qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation.
the deserving poor;
a deserving applicant.
-
meriting; worthy.
a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of deserving
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"And she's a very deserving lady and a deserving family."
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
"In the 1840 narrative, Byfield sought to impress wealthy patrons by presenting himself as a dutiful soldier and deserving veteran," O'Keeffe says.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026
I got so much love and so much support for that show, but I didn’t feel deserving of it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
She tries to inject fun into biweekly team meetings by asking everyone to share recent professional highs and lows, and vote for the colleague most deserving of special recognition.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Of all the wishes people had brought him—money, love, revenge—this seemed to him the most poignant and the one most deserving of fulfillment.
From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
