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

And if not, do the players actually deserve to live? —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2024

Even snacks as simple as these deserve a second look during the holiday season. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Reid knew his players deserved a night of jokes, laughter and praise. —Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024

All are deserving of awards for taking such great pains to come up with a definitive version of the Drac legend, one that has to be seen and heard on the big screen. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 24 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