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

But even if favoritism could’ve played a role in the voting, “Good Hang” is more than deserving of its first major accolade.

From Salon

Again, the party seems like it was fun, and Foster attracts a deserving cohort for her first all-French-speaking role since 2004’s “A Very Long Engagement.”

From Los Angeles Times

This distinction between official acts deserving immunity and criminal conduct deserving prosecution should sound familiar.

From The Wall Street Journal

But coming from “Queer Eye” where everyone we helped was because it was somebody deserving, somebody that was going through something and needed that extra boost in their life.

From Los Angeles Times

Oh, the visitors will agonize over some of the bizarre calls, some deserving of further explanation from the NFL.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commendable