deserving

1 of 2

noun

de·​serv·​ing di-ˈzər-viŋ 

: desert, merit

reward the proud according to their deservings

—Charles Kingsley

deserving

2 of 2

adjective

1

: having good qualities that deserve praise, support, etc. : meritorious, worthy

rewarding deserving workers

scholarships for deserving students

2

: appropriately having or being given something specified

—used with of

a proposal deserving of support [=a proposal that deserves support]

a criminal deserving of punishment

deservingly adverb

deservingness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• good
• meritorious
• worthy

Examples of deserving in a Sentence

Adjective

He's a very deserving young man.

The church provides aid to deserving families.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some fans have accused Bryan of cheating, while others have declared LaPaglia deserving of the heartbreak. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2024

But few tables skip out on the camote asado, an opener deserving of main dish status. —The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 21 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Some are more important than others, and therefore more deserving of praise. —Wayne Parker, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

In its short first-season run, the series succeeds in weaving a remarkable number of ideas together, the bad guys most deserving of comeuppance getting at least something in the ballpark of justice, but potential fans will still be gratified to know that a second season is officially on its way. —Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English deserving, deservinge, from gerund of deserven "to deserve"

Adjective

from present participle of deserve

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

deserving

adjective

de·​serv·​ing

di-ˈzər-viŋ

: worthy entry 1 sense 2

especially : worthy of financial help

aid for deserving families