de·serv·ing
di-ˈzər-viŋ 
1
: having good qualities that deserve praise, support, etc. : meritorious, worthy
rewarding deserving workers
scholarships for deserving students
2
: appropriately having or being given something specified
—used with of
a proposal deserving of support [=a proposal that deserves support]
a criminal deserving of punishment
deservingly
adverb
deservingness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of deserving in a Sentence
Adjective
He's a very deserving young man.
The church provides aid to deserving families.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2024
But few tables skip out on the camote asado, an opener deserving of main dish status.
—The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 21 Oct. 2024
Wayne Parker, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
In its short first-season run, the series succeeds in weaving a remarkable number of ideas together, the bad guys most deserving of comeuppance getting at least something in the ballpark of justice, but potential fans will still be gratified to know that a second season is officially on its way.
—Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deserving 
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.
Noun
Some fans have accused Bryan of cheating, while others have declared LaPaglia deserving of the heartbreak.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2024
But few tables skip out on the camote asado, an opener deserving of main dish status.
—The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Some are more important than others, and therefore more deserving of praise.
—Wayne Parker, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
In its short first-season run, the series succeeds in weaving a remarkable number of ideas together, the bad guys most deserving of comeuppance getting at least something in the ballpark of justice, but potential fans will still be gratified to know that a second season is officially on its way.
—Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deserving
Dictionary Entries Near deserving
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deserving. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share