deserving 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of deservingnext
as in worthy
having sufficient worth or merit to receive one's honor, esteem, or reward gifts donated to deserving children every Christmas

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deserving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of deserve
as in earning
to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deserving
Adjective
People willing to advocate directly for dynamic, deserving women. — Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026 Zibanejad was a deserving team MVP in an otherwise demoralizing 2025-26 campaign, posting his highest totals in three years for goals (34) and points (78). — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
The cohost made sure to add that Donda West is more than deserving of the honor. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026 Also set up as an equal gift of more than $800,000, this scholarship began providing education assistance to deserving Roanoke grads beginning with the class of 2018. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
  1. worthy
  2. earning
  3. meritorious
  4. good
Adjective
  • The city’s postcard sights and destination-worthy dining spots require at least a 20-minute taxi drive or a hop on The Siam’s boat, which can drop you off at most piers along the river.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The punch-worthy parody of Altman’s characterization ramps up once he’s motivated to push back against — or trample over — the safety guardrails that Ilya prizes above all else, but so does the depth of his world-breaking cynicism.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of worthy
Verb
  • Each of the company’s more than 20 brands is distributed in North America, with many earning the top spot in key categories.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Solo dining is climbing, and small indulgences keep earning space in budgets even when the big-ticket splurges get cut.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of earning
Adjective
  • The process is highly competitive, and only the proposals deemed the most meritorious receive funding.
    — Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026
  • These are lawsuits that are not meritorious but are brought to any of harass, intimidate or retaliate against defendants for their exercise of their free speech and related rights.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of meritorious
Adjective
  • Lucy’s constant sense of invention sometimes falters under the album’s new, megawatt spotlight, lacking the enticing mystery that gives their best music its power.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Among those surveyed, Latinos who didn’t vote in 2024 were more likely than those who had voted to have economic frustrations, like struggling to earn enough money or find a good job.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of good

Browse Nearby Words

deserves
deserving
desex
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Cite this Entry

“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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