deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

transitive verb

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves another chance

intransitive verb

: to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some reward or requital

… have become recognized as they deserve.

—T. S. Eliot

a worse punishment than he deserved

deserver noun

Synonyms

• earn
• merit
• rate

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Recent Examples on the Web

Stephanie Cunningham, Fort Lauderdale Residents deserve better The city of Fort Lauderdale has more than doubled our water bill. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2025

Chicago’s children deserve a district that is both academically ambitious and financially sound. —Sendhil Revuluri, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025

Lincoln, born February 12, deserves a holiday as much as any American, but standalone celebrations of Lincoln have been in decline. —The Editors, National Review, 17 Feb. 2025

Marylanders deserve an affordable, reliable and secure energy future. —H. Russell Frisby, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deserven, disserven "to be worthy of, attain what one deserves," borrowed from Anglo-French deservir, desservir, deserver "to deserve, merit, earn, be entitled to" (also continental Old & Middle French), going back to Medieval Latin dēservīre "to serve, officiate (at mass), hold land by service, earn, deserve," going back to Latin, "to spend one's time in, devote oneself (to pursuits, interests), be submissive to, comply with," from dē- de- + servīre "to perform duties for (a master) in the capacity of a slave, act in subservience, be at the service of" — more at serve entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing deserve

• deserve a medal

Kids Definition

deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves another chance