DEFINITIONS

deserved

[ dih-zurvd ]
/ dɪˈzɜrvd /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR deserved ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

justly or rightly earned; merited: a deserved increase in salary.

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Words related to deserved

proper, rightful, right, fit, appropriate, warranted, fitting, justified, due, equitable, just, suitable

Words nearby deserved

deserted, deserticolous, desertification, desertion, deserve, deserved, deservedly, deserving, desex, desexualize, deshabille

Origin of deserved

First recorded in 1545–55; deserve + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM deserved

Definition for deserved (2 of 2)

deserve
[ dih-zurv ]
/ dɪˈzɜrv /

verb (used with object), de·served, de·serv·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), de·served, de·serv·ing.

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.

Origin of deserve

1250–1300; Middle English deserven < Anglo-French, Old French deservir, Latin dēservīre to devote oneself to the service of, equivalent to dē- de- + servīre to serve

OTHER WORDS FROM deserve

de·serv·er, nounpre·de·serve, verb (used with object), pre·de·served, pre·de·serv·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for deserved

British Dictionary definitions for deserved

deserve
/ (dɪˈzɜːv) /

verb

(tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
(intr foll by of) obsolete to be worthy

Derived forms of deserve

deserved, adjectivedeservedness (dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs), noundeserver, noun

Word Origin for deserve

C13: from Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre to serve devotedly, from de- + servīre to serve
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with deserved

deserve

see one good turn deserves another.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.