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

Well deserving journalists are allowed special access to President Donald Trump, White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich has told a judge. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025

However, this doesn't mean every issue raised deserves the same level of attention or resources—leaders must still prioritize based on strategic importance. —Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

In the next 48 hours, more than one deserving player will be sent from California to Toledo rather than opening the season at Dodger Stadium. —Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025

Jill saw me as a whole person with a valuable personal life that deserved protection. —Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer, TIME, 25 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