Synonyms of deserving

deserving 1 of 2

adjective

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

• worthy
• meritorious
• good
• special
• admirable
• commendable
• creditable
• excellent
• invaluable
• exceptional
• praiseworthy
• primary
• cherished
• laudable
• priceless
• prime
• choice
• prized
• fancy
• treasured
• high-grade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worthless
• inferior
• undeserving
• no-good
• cheap
• base
• substandard
• bad
• valueless
• defective
• imperfect
• inadequate
• insufficient
• deficient
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• second-rate
• flawed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• earning
• meriting
• rating
• qualifying
• entitling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deserving

Adjective

There are many different types of life deserving of our respect, but that doesn’t mean a very simple life-form on Mars should unduly eliminate any possible benefit humans could gain by going there. — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026

Daniels should’ve just thrown the ball away, but debate over the final play in overtime has brought up the coaching staff and the team as a whole deserving blame – not just the signal-caller. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 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