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

"Parliament members now need to make haste so that they can bring in skilled, honest and deserving candidates to the seats reserved for women in parliament."

From BBC

They did not do much wrong when their opponents were seemingly charging towards a seismic victory, with Nepal's inspired batting deserving of huge credit.

From BBC

Morgan believes SoFi’s investments in marketing, increased scale, and its nearly $40 billion loan portfolio—among other factors—make the company “deserving of a premium valuation,” analysts said.

From Barron's

“I feel everything that comes to us is deserving, but we have to work hard,” McDonald said.

From Los Angeles Times

But they are every bit as deserving of support, and they have been fighting for the same values that once made Hong Kong a beacon of hope for generations of ordinary Chinese.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• commendable