deserving

1 of 2

noun

de·​serv·​ing di-ˈzər-viŋ 

: deserved reward or punishment merit

… reward the proud according to their deservings!

—Charles Kingsley

deserving

2 of 2

adjective

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 of deserving

Adjective

• worthy
• meritorious
• good

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

Noun

Few materials in perfumery possess the balance and poise of sandalwood, a note often used in a supporting role—but one deserving of its own spotlight. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025

But what’s ultimately the most impressive (and deserving of the big screen) is Piccard and Jones’ actual journey. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025

Adjective

For Keith Kiefer, national commander of NAAV, this will ensure no deserving veteran is left without care. —Hope Hodge Seck, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Needless to say, no one in the 70 year history of The Muppets is more deserving of a solo film. —Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English deserving, deservinge, from gerund of deserven "to deserve"

Adjective

from present participle of deserve

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deserving

• conserving
• observing
• preserving
• reserving
• subserving
• unnerving
• unswerving
• curving
• serving
• swerving
• undeserving

Kids Definition

deserving

adjective

de·​serv·​ing

di-ˈzər-viŋ

: worthy entry 1 sense 2

especially : worthy of financial help

aid for deserving families