deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

transitive verb

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves a medal

doesn't deserve a second chance

The idea deserves consideration.

They deserve to be punished.

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 of deserve

• earn

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Recent Examples on the Web

Your mental health deserves as much attention as your to-do list this month. —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026

That record deserves to be built upon, not undermined by rates that fail to keep pace. —Joe Hardy, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

The San Diego Wave and their fans deserved every second of the festive Friday morning that played out at Snapdragon Stadium. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026

Stylish and value-packed, with one of the better infotainment interfaces, the Tucson Hybrid deserves a long look. —Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for deserve

• conserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• verve

Kids Definition

deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves another chance