deserve

verb de·serve \ di-ˈzərv \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

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

The players deserved to have a transition-type coach on staff.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New Rancho Bernardo coach adds own touches to Blalock’s ‘program’," 8 May 2018
The outfits in both photos also deserve a double take.

— erin hill, PEOPLE.com, "See How Prince Louis' First Portrait Stacks Up Against Charlotte's (Complete with Royal Kiss!)," 7 May 2018
Whoever the Black Hood might be, though, Riverdale deserves credit for keeping its secret for so long.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Did Riverdale Just Confirm Another Black Hood Fan Theory?," 2 May 2018
Who deserves more recognition in the story of rock 'n' roll: the black artists who created the sound or the white men who brought it to the masses?

— oliver sava, Chicago Reader, "Memphis makes the birth of rock all about the white dude," 2 May 2018
Whether or not the Golden State Killer is still alive, his victims deserve justice.

— CBS News, "Has "The Golden State Killer" been caught?," 28 Apr. 2018
Even split ends, apparently, deserve another chance to shine.

— megan garber, The Atlantic, "Sympathy for the Charlie," 26 Apr. 2018
Getty Images Apparently someone thinks Charlie Rose—and a bunch of other men brought down by allegations of predatory behavior—deserves a shot at redemption.

— danielle mcnally, Marie Claire, "Charlie Rose Is Reportedly Getting a "#MeToo Atonement" Show, And WTF?," 26 Apr. 2018
But the crew on the court in Franklinton, Louisiana, certainly deserves our consideration.

— Southern Living, "Louisiana Students Stop Playing Basketball Mid-Game to Display Moving Funeral Etiquette," 25 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

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

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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

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DESERVE Defined for Kids

deserve

Definition of deserve for Students

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