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.

---

deserving British  

/ dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthy, esp of praise or reward

---

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

Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers, said he didn’t think this latest episode was quite as deserving of the label.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Are we still deserving of kindness when someone knows our darkest, most cruel impulses?

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

But even they may be stumped when faced with the gargantuan challenge of coming up with a deserving story to encapsulate the unique feat of producing 500 episodes of television.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

"Their connection and skill in the ring have shone throughout, making them thoroughly deserving champions," she said.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

But he had that look of eager, deserving expectation.

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway

Related Words

• commendable