Dictionary.com
definitions

deserving

[ dih-zur-ving ]
/ dɪˈzɜr vɪŋ /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR deserving ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation: the deserving poor; a deserving applicant.
meriting; worthy: a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.

RELATED CONTENT

ATW: What Does 🙄 - Face With Rolling Eyes Mean? | Dictionary.comRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
dog whistleRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

ineligible, inappropriate, unsuitable, unfit, shameful, base, beneath, blamable, contemptible, degrading, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, good-for-nothing, ignoble, improper, inexcusable, nothing, offensive, recreant

Nearby words

  1. desertification,
  2. desertion,
  3. deserve,
  4. deserved,
  5. deservedly,
  6. desex,
  7. desexualize,
  8. deshabille,
  9. desi,
  10. desiccant

Origin of deserving

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing2
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for undeserving

British Dictionary definitions for undeserving

deserving

/ (dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ) /

adjective

(often postpositive and foll by of) worthy, esp of praise or reward

noun

rare a merit or demerit; desert
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
Word Origin and History for undeserving

undeserving

adj.

1540s, from un- (1) "not" + present participle of deserve.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper