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

But at this time of year, with four teams chasing from the rear and the Wild playing with three irreplaceable players hurt, every point matters and the Wild once again probably deserved more. —Michael Russo, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025

Even tyrants deserve to know the truth without being publicly humiliated. —Todd Nordstrom, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

Spring also deserves a full closet refresh, including new shoes for weddings and outdoor activities. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

Tesla deserves a meaningful premium due to its leadership position in the space, best-in-class technology, and significant lead in data, which will be hugely important as FSD becomes mainstream and as robotaxis goes from science fiction to an everyday reality. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 13 Mar. 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

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