deserved

adjective

de·​served di-ˈzərvd 

: of, relating to, or being that which one deserves

a deserved reputation

deservedly

di-ˈzər-vəd-lē 

-ˈzərvd-lē

adverb

deservedness

di-ˈzər-vəd-nəs 

-ˈzərvd-nəs

noun

Synonyms of deserved

• justified

Examples of deserved in a Sentence

a well deserved promotion for a hard worker

Recent Examples on the Web

The toilet bowl has Díaz-Canel’s face painted on it, so people can leave their deserved offering. — Sarah Moreno august 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

Netflix has already faced deserved criticism for its sports coverage, often turning live events into infomercials for its entertainment division. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

After leading Prairie View to its best season in decades, coach Tremaine Jackson fights for deserved HBCU recognition after a Texas convention snub. — Jason Kirk, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Cogan also said Zamabda deserved credit for sparing the government the difficulty and cost of going to trial. — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of deserve

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deserved

• underserved
• undeserved
• unobserved
• unreserved
• conserved
• decurved
• incurved
• observed
• preserved
• recurved
• reserved
• subserved

Kids Definition

deserved

adjective

de·​served -ˈzərvd 

: of, relating to, or being that which one deserves

a deserved punishment

deservedly

-ˈzər-vəd-lē 

adverb

deservedness

-nəs 

noun