deserve

1 of 2

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

transitive verb

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves a medal

doesn't deserve a second chance

The idea deserves consideration.

They deserve to be punished.

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

deserver

2 of 2

noun

de·​serv·​er

-və(r)

plural -s

: one who deserves

Synonyms of deserve

Verb

• earn

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

Verb

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The leader that brings people together there will deserve positive recognition. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Ventura was not truly a victim and deserved to face consequences alongside Combs. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Competitive compensation helps Broward recruit and retain the talented teachers and education professionals our children deserve. — Roberto Fernandez Iii, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Illinois families deserve affordable utility bills and a natural gas system that is safe, reliable and maintained by a skilled workforce. — Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing deserve

• deserve a medal

Rhymes for deserve

• conserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• verve

Kids Definition

deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves another chance