deserved

1 of 2

adjective

de·​served di-ˈzərvd 

: of, relating to, or being that which one deserves

a deserved reputation

deservedly

di-ˈzər-vəd-lē 

-ˈzərvd-lē

adverb

deservedness

di-ˈzər-vəd-nəs 

-ˈzərvd-nəs

noun

deserved

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of deserve

Synonyms of deserved

Adjective

• justified

Examples of deserved in a Sentence

Adjective

a well deserved promotion for a hard worker

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Amid ongoing disputes that have rattled a city office at the center of complaints for months, a grievance is pending in which a worker claims unfair treatment, discrimination and that he was denied a deserved promotion. — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Maresca’s players followed soon after; Iliman Ndiaye, an inspired half-time substitute, was hanging around at the back of the group when Ruben Dias grabbed him and thrust him to the front, ensuring the new signing got a deserved ovation. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

In-form striker Donyell Malen scored his sixth goal in four games to put Roma ahead and Niccolò Pisilli got a deserved second in stoppage time. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

This 10-day South Bay festival marking its 18th year jams in an expansive selection of shorts — from documentaries to narratives — and gives newbie and veteran filmmakers working in various genres a much deserved spotlight. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of deserve

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deserved

• underserved
• undeserved
• unobserved
• unreserved
• conserved
• decurved
• incurved
• observed
• preserved
• recurved
• reserved
• subserved

Kids Definition

deserved

adjective

de·​served -ˈzərvd 

: of, relating to, or being that which one deserves

a deserved punishment

deservedly

-ˈzər-vəd-lē 

adverb

deservedness

-nəs 

noun