deserve

verb de·serve \ di-ˈzərv \

Definition of deserve

deserved; deserving

transitive verb

:to be worthy of :merit

deserves another chance

intransitive verb

:to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some reward or requital

… have become recognized as they deserve.
—T. S. Eliot

a worse punishment than he deserved

—

deserver

noun

See deserve defined for English-language learners

See deserve defined for kids

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Recent Examples of deserve from the Web

Saban deserves that $11.5 million, like LeBron should make $100 million.

— emily kaplan and robert klemko, SI.com, "Where the Crimson Tide’s Green Goes," 20 July 2017
In the loss, Aberdeen pitcher Tobias Myers (2-2) deserved a better fate.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Aberdeen sees first double-header action and splits in Lowell," 18 July 2017
All’Acqua Atwater Village, Italian $$ Every neighborhood deserves access to primo charcuterie, cacio e pepe, and pizzas decked out with soppressata and Calabrian chiles.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
Our nation’s children deserve to experience summer breaks filled with fun, not hunger pangs.

— diane whitmore schanzenbach, Time, "How You Can Help Save Local Kids From Going Hungry This Summer," 18 July 2017
Simply put, these institutions are a part of our country’s history and deserve to live.

— mary-pat hector, Essence.com, "Spelman's Mary-Pat Hector Pens Powerful Letter To Omarosa & Donald Trump About Lack Of HBCU Funding," 12 July 2017
Vile and threatening comments on social media to myself and my family isn't deserved.

— luke kerr-dineen, USA TODAY, "Cyclist hits out at 'vile' social media backlash," 6 July 2017
Our list includes recent titles as well as some oldies that deserve reacquaintance.

— peter manso, Car and Driver, "Sixteen Books Every Auto Enthusiast Should Read," 3 July 2017
But Bowen said that, in his view, meeting minimum requirements shouldn’t need and didn’t deserve bonus pay.

— patrick malone, Science | AAAS, "A near-disaster at a federal nuclear weapons," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deserve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of deserve

Middle English, from Anglo-French deservir, from Latin deservire to devote oneself to, from de- + servire to serve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

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deserve Synonyms

Synonyms

earn, merit, rate

Related Words

entitle, qualify

DESERVE Defined for Kids

deserve

verb de·serve \ di-ˈzərv \

Definition of deserve for Students

deserved; deserving

:to have earned because of some act or quality

Synonym Discussion of deserve

deserve, merit, and earn mean to be worthy of something. deserve is used when a person should rightly receive something good or bad because of his or her actions or character.

- A hard worker deserves to be rewarded.

merit is used when someone or something is especially worthy of reward, punishment, or consideration.

- These students merit special praise.

earn is used when a person has spent time and effort and gets what he or she deserves.

- You've earned a long vacation.

Learn More about deserve

See words that rhyme with deserve Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deserve Spanish Central: Translation of deserve Nglish: Translation of deserve for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of deserve for Arabic speakers

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deserve

Definition of deserve

deserver

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

Recent Examples of deserve from the Web

Origin and Etymology of deserve

deserve Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

DESERVE Defined for Kids

deserve

Definition of deserve for Students

Synonym Discussion of deserve

Learn More about deserve

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