deserving

American  

[dih-zur-ving] / dɪˈzɜr vɪŋ /

adjective

1. qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation.

   the deserving poor;

   a deserving applicant.

2. meriting; worthy.

   a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.

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deserving British  

/ dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthy, esp of praise or reward

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noun

1. rare a merit or demerit; desert

Other Word Forms

• deservingly adverb
• deservingness noun
• self-deserving adjective
• undeserving adjective
• undeservingly adverb
• undeservingness noun

Etymology

Origin of deserving

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The solid, stolid, self-satisfied Edwardian England that had seemed so deserving of his lashes was itself now wounded, and something in Galsworthy shifted accordingly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In a few places, we included a deserving player at a secondary position, if his primary position was fully stocked.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

I hope his story can be remembered not because of its tragedy, but because it demanded a future where people deserving refuge are not thrown into peril.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

"But that's not to say that Ryan Coogler is not equally deserving."

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

Tristan und Isolde is an out-and-out masterpiece, with sweeping, yearning themes, deserving of its place in music’s pantheon, whatever it may or may not have innovated.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• commendable