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

The Administration’s strongest argument is that it deserves deference on questions that implicate foreign affairs.

From The Wall Street Journal

The parties to the case deserve to know what really happened here.

From The Wall Street Journal

Justly or not, it’s tough to emerge on the other side of “Reality Check” without harboring the impression that the “Top Model” creator deserves a seat on a nitro-boosted express train to the hot place.

From Salon

“Everybody deserves a second chance,” Riley told The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

Merz has also turned off many voters with often blunt comments, recently questioning whether Germans, with their many sick days, still deserve their reputation as hard workers.

From Barron's

Related Words

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