as in worthy
having sufficient worth or merit to receive one's honor, esteem, or reward
gifts donated to deserving children every Christmas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deserving
Paul J. Becker, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
There is perhaps no nail color more famous and more deserving of its notoriety as Big Apple Red.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
More than deserving an honorable mention is realtor extraordinaire Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury), who ultimately differentiated herself from the cacophony of the first two seasons to become a true confidante to Carrie… much in the same way Samantha was before her.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Adjective
The creation of a white ethnostate is often seen as an ultimate goal of such white nationalism, which argues that white people form part of a genetically and culturally superior race deserving of protection and preservation.
—Paul J. Becker, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
There is perhaps no nail color more famous and more deserving of its notoriety as Big Apple Red.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
All of them stitched together, but each deserving its own inquiry and scientific funding.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
More than deserving an honorable mention is realtor extraordinaire Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury), who ultimately differentiated herself from the cacophony of the first two seasons to become a true confidante to Carrie… much in the same way Samantha was before her.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
Adjective
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To finish things off, CND Shellac No Wipe Top Coat added red carpet-worthy shine.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
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For an organization badly in need of young players who can push for NHL employment, this is a worthy experiment during a time when draft picks are dealt by the dozen at each trade deadline.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Notably, that was considerably more than his boss was earning as a House member, $174,000.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The craft seller at a roadside market is earning her independence.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Medal of Freedom, established in 1963, is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public endeavors.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
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In February 2025, the proposal was recommended for funding, meaning it had been rated highly meritorious through peer review by leading scientists, was prioritized by NSF program staff, and only required final administrative approval to be awarded.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The extra point was good but there was a holding penalty on the Rebels.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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After 10 tumultuous years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kadri delivered his best campaign with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22, posting 89 points in the regular season and finishing by hoisting the Stanley Cup.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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