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 back in 2016, the birther flip-flop seemed to deserve special recognition. —Ron Elving, NPR, 14 Sep. 2024

Wood and two other longtime correspondents, Michael Kosta and Ronny Chieng, who now share co-hosting duties, say Johnson deserves his success. —Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024

Virginia doesn’t deserve better, Virginia deserves THE BEST. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2024

Sisters—whether bonded by soul or DNA—deserve gifts that truly shine. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2024

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