deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

transitive verb

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves a medal

doesn't deserve a second chance

The idea deserves consideration.

They deserve to be punished.

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

Synonyms of deserve

• earn

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Recent Examples on the Web

No one deserves to be abandoned, let alone by someone who supposedly loves them. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 28 Feb. 2026

At the very least, retirees deserve clear answers. —Maryann Berto, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026

Customers deserve to know who profits from their utility bills, what incentives shape utility decisions, and how those incentives align with the long-term needs of the communities NIPSCO serves. —Matt Parr, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

Next week, the Supreme Court will consider whether the gun ban for drug users is unconstitutionally broad in a high-stakes case at the center of growing debate over whether marijuana deserves a carve-out in the law. —ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing deserve

• deserve a medal

Rhymes for deserve

• conserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• verve

Kids Definition

deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves another chance