deserved

[dih-zurvd]

adjective

1. justly or rightly earned; merited.

   a deserved increase in salary.

Other Word Forms

• deservedness noun
• half-deserved adjective
• half-deservedness noun
• undeserved adjective
• well-deserved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deserved¹

First recorded in 1545–55; deserve + -ed ²

Example Sentences

"We deserved to be more than one goal ahead with how the game had gone, but we needed that second goal," said O'Neill.

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After 62 minutes at Hampden, the atmosphere was verging on turning toxic after Greece drilled in a deserved opener amid a dominant display.

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"It was difficult to keep everything going in the second half. We did excellent, we deserved to win."

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He posted a 2.96 ERA in 14 regular-season outings, enough to convince the Yankees he deserved the ball in the most important game of the year.

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If so, all Blacks deserved to be treated as full and equal citizens.

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Related Words

• earned www.thesaurus.com
• proper 
• rightful