deserve

American  

[dih-zurv] / dɪˈzɜrv /

verb (used with object)

deserved, deserving

1. to merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to (reward, assistance, punishment, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or situation.

   to deserve exile; to deserve charity; a theory that deserves consideration.

   Synonyms:

   justify, warrant, rate

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verb (used without object)

deserved, deserving

1. to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward, punishment, recompense, etc..

   to reward him as he deserves; an idea deserving of study.

deserve British  

/ dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs, dɪˈzɜːv /

verb

1. (tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit

2. obsolete to be worthy

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deserve Idioms  

1. see one good turn deserves another.

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Other Word Forms

• deserved adjective
• deservedness noun
• deserver noun
• predeserve verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of deserve

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English deserven, from Anglo-French, Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre “to devote oneself to the service of,” equivalent to dē- de- + servīre “to serve” ( serve )

Example Sentences

Mr. Ireland draws the reader’s sympathy toward Trotsky, to a point, as an old man out of the game who did not deserve to be killed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nottingham Forest did not deserve to lose against Liverpool last week but scoring goals is still a problem for them, and I feel like it could haunt them again here.

From BBC

He added: "I definitely want to see a memory project done and see the families involved. Many families never received the closure they deserved."

From Barron's

“New York deserves to have a space like what the Mirage gave us,” said Guggenheim, the lawyer.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I do believe I am one of the best players in the world - I deserve to be in the Premier League," Bunting told Sky Sports.

From BBC

Related Words

• earn
• gain
• get
• justify
• merit
• warrant
• win