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

Nova, therefore, reflects the company’s belief that small businesses deserve to be discovered by their ideal audience. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024

Trump advisers are still solidifying their approach to the pardons and defense attorneys are scrambling to convince the incoming administration that their clients are deserving. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024

Susie Tompkins Buell, a prominent Democratic donor and Breed supporter, told the newspaper that the mayor deserved more credit for getting the city through tough times. —Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Dec. 2024

But the Empress of the Americas didn’t deserve to be alone so early in the morning of her feast day. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 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