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deserving

[dih-zur-ving]
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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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Origin of deserving

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing2
Related formsde·serv·ing·ly, adverbde·serv·ing·ness, nounself-de·serv·ing, adjectiveun·de·serv·ing, adjectiveun·de·serv·ing·ly, adverbun·de·serv·ing·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for deservingly

Historical Examples

  • Still, Arnold never forgave the stab that was then so deservingly yet so pityingly dealt him.

    Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 6 of 8

    Various

British Dictionary definitions for deservingly

deserving

adjective
  1. (often postpositive and foll by of) worthy, esp of praise or reward
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noun
  1. rare a merit or demerit; desert
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Derived Formsdeservingly, adverbdeservingness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012