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.
The most common issues identified in her research include: Feeling stagnant in their career progression, lacking promotions, raises, or deserved recognition. Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 Loose Ends: The Legacy Heroes – Reynolds, Levy, and the cast and crew go through some of the mind-blowing cameos and the characters who finally get their deserved endings. Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2024 The Grammys have tacitly acknowledged this, nominating a woman rapper in Best New Artist for five straight years now (including this year’s deserved recognition for Doechii). Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 Watch on Hulu The Dropout Amanda Seyfried won a much deserved Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy for her portrayal of the notorious Stanford dropout turned health care technology maven Elizabeth Holmes, who tricked some of the world’s savviest business minds into investing in her company, Theranos. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 5 Nov. 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 17 Dec. 2024.

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

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