deserved

adjective

de·​served di-ˈzərvd How to pronounce deserved (audio)
: of, relating to, or being that which one deserves
a deserved reputation
deservedly
di-ˈzər-vəd-lē How to pronounce deserved (audio)
-ˈzərvd-lē
adverb
deservedness
di-ˈzər-vəd-nəs How to pronounce deserved (audio)
-ˈzərvd-nəs
noun

Examples of deserved in a Sentence

a well deserved promotion for a hard worker
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Maresca’s tactics have generally yielded positive first-half performances during this stretch, rewarded with deserved leads against Fulham, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 In a recent come-from-behind win versus St. Louis, Merrill contributed nearly 19 on-ice minutes and scored his first goal of the season, drawing deserved praise from his coach. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2025 Jessica's unborn telepathic daughter, Alia, is a much more disconcerting presence than the precocious kid in Lynch's movie, and the manipulative Bene Gesserit are given some deserved time in the spotlight as cosmic string-pullers-in-chief. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 30 Dec. 2024 Two first half goals from Claudio Aquino and Damián Fernández sealed a deserved league title for Vélez, on a tense final day where three different clubs might have lifted the trophy. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deserved 

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of deserve

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deserved was circa 1552

Dictionary Entries Near deserved

Cite this Entry

“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deserved. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

deserved

adjective
de·​served -ˈzərvd How to pronounce deserved (audio)
: of, relating to, or being that which one deserves
a deserved punishment
deservedly adverb
deservedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deserved

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!