deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv How to pronounce deserve (audio)
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

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The California religion professor who nominated Hood says that Hood's duties are 'a suffering kind of work' that deserve recognition. James Powel, USA Today, 26 May 2025 Following an 8-4 victory over Tennessee on May 17, Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said his team deserved to be a top 8 seed. Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025 The hotel industry deserves an assist for helping to create one of the state’s best distance runners in Sandwich junior Sunny Weber. Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025 But the company currently has something onstage that may deserve the same kind of enduring presence in our local theater scene. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for deserve

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deserven, disserven "to be worthy of, attain what one deserves," borrowed from Anglo-French deservir, desservir, deserver "to deserve, merit, earn, be entitled to" (also continental Old & Middle French), going back to Medieval Latin dēservīre "to serve, officiate (at mass), hold land by service, earn, deserve," going back to Latin, "to spend one's time in, devote oneself (to pursuits, interests), be submissive to, comply with," from dē- de- + servīre "to perform duties for (a master) in the capacity of a slave, act in subservience, be at the service of" — more at serve entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of deserve was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deserve. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

deserve

verb
de·​serve di-ˈzərv How to pronounce deserve (audio)
deserved; deserving
: to be worthy of : merit
deserves another chance

More from Merriam-Webster on deserve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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