Synonyms of deserve

deserve

verb

di-ˈzərv 

as in to earn

to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment)

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Synonyms & Similar Words

• earn
• merit
• qualify
• entitle
• rate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deserve

Students of color deserve to learn to trust themselves, to think expansively and critically, to delight in their creativity and to love reading, learning and writing. — Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026

Caviar deserves that same attention, even if the descriptors are different. — Felipe Riccio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026

The 35-player preseason list for the award that goes to the nation’s top defensive back didn’t have an Illinois player on it, and by Bielema’s estimation both Scott and Bailey deserved a nod. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Assembly Bill 40’s scope is extremely limited, designed to provide the transparency Californians deserve when coal terminals come to their communities. — Veronica Eady, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026