deserving

[ dih-zur-ving ]

/ dɪˈzɜr vɪŋ /

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See 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.

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Origin of deserving

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM deserving

de·serv·ing·ly, adverbde·serv·ing·ness, nounself-de·serv·ing, adjectiveun·de·serv·ing, adjective

un·de·serv·ing·ly, adverbun·de·serv·ing·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use deserving in a sentence

The camera work pans out often to highlight the world, and the entire adventure is more deserving of the “odyssey” label than its big brother series.
‘Immortals: Fenyx Rising’ is a worthy adventure wavering between cringe and charm|Gene Park|November 30, 2020|Washington Post
That book and other such lists overlook many deserving names—the unsung geniuses overshadowed by more publicity-savvy rivals or under-appreciated because of when and where they lived.
Do You Know These Scientific Pioneers? - Issue 93: Forerunners|Tom Siegfried|November 25, 2020|Nautilus
So many teams deserve a look even if their deserving of a look might owe something to pandemic schedule distortions.
In this unhinged year, the CFP selection committee faces an even more indecipherable task|Chuck Culpepper|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
We are more than deserving of fair pay for the great and essential value we add to our country’s economy and wellbeing.
America Ferrera: Latinas are essential members of society—and deserve equal pay|ehinchliffe|October 29, 2020|Fortune

UCF put pressure on the new four-team playoff, and if the playoff leaves out more deserving unbeatens this December, surely those teams will join the chorus.
Is This The Year A Team From Outside The Power Five Crashes The College Football Playoff?|Jake Lourim|October 29, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Are there undeserving, even fraudulent people receiving welfare/food/housing assistance?
When Did ‘Dependence’ Become a Dirty Word?|Gene Robinson|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Romney implied that these folks are lazy and undeserving, always looking for a handout.
Mitt Romney’s 47 Percent Not Who GOP Wants You to Think They Are|James Braxton Peterson|September 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The underlying message: Daniels was undeserving to be a mother because of her adult career.
Stormy Daniels on Being a Porn-Star Mom|Kristin Battista-Frazee|August 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He describes a strategy he uses where he lets his opponent win a few undeserving rounds, similar to a rope-a-dope in boxing.
Obama's Poker Club Tells All|Randall Lane|December 8, 2010|DAILY BEAST
An utterly undeserving wretch defeated a neophyte vulgarian.
10 Election Night Truths|Tunku Varadarajan|November 3, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The undeserving were not treated with quite the same indulgence.
From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life|Captain A. T. Mahan
If I had any faith it was very weak, for I felt deeply conscious we were entirely undeserving such a favor.
Mary and I|Stephen Return Riggs
A heart full of love and gratitude to you for all your kindness in thought and act to me, undeserving.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. I (of 3)|George Eliot
The wife who forgets her duty to the man she has espoused is undeserving the respect of society.
Secret History of the Court of England, from the Accession of George the Third to the Death of George the Fourth, Volume I (of 2)|Lady Anne Hamilton
Tempest, if you are going to be kind-hearted or sympathetic to undeserving rascals, I shall have to part company with you!
The Sorrows of Satan|Marie Corelli

British Dictionary definitions for deserving

deserving

/ (dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ) /

adjective

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

noun

rare a merit or demerit; desert

Derived forms of deserving

deservingly, 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

deserving

Origin of deserving

OTHER WORDS FROM deserving

Words related to deserving

How to use deserving in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deserving

Derived forms of deserving