- present participle of deserve.
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.
Harpootlian said Murdaugh is deserving of some concessions because of that, noting “this guy is not a serial killer, he’s not Ted Bundy. The only thing he’s been convicted of is stealing money.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026
After everything, few are more deserving of this moment in the sun than Wyatt-Hodge.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
But deserving more attention is how he has enriched the country by building a remarkable company.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Perhaps, though, you think SpaceX is deserving of a stratospheric valuation.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
They tell Mam and Dad they’re sorry to disturb them but the Society has to be sure they’re helping deserving cases.
From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
