Synonyms of deserved

deserved 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈzərvd 

as in justified

being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong

a well deserved promotion for a hard worker

Synonyms & Similar Words

• justified
• due
• merited
• proper
• suitable
• legal
• rightful
• legitimate
• appropriate
• competent
• fair
• just
• warranted
• right
• condign
• strict
• equitable
• meet
• correct
• fitting
• true
• applicable
• apt
• requisite
• accurate
• lawful
• fit
• impartial
• stringent
• uncompromising
• square
• rhadamanthine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfair
• undeserved
• undue
• unjust
• unjustified
• unwarranted
• irrelevant
• incorrect
• improper
• unreasonable
• inappropriate
• unmerited
• partial
• unsuitable
• incoherent
• unjustifiable
• inapplicable
• unequal
• biased
• indefensible
• inequitable
• arbitrary
• unlawful
• irrelative
• inapt
• despotic
• illegitimate
• inapposite

deserved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of deserve

as in earned

to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment)

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Synonyms & Similar Words

• earned
• merited
• entitled
• rated
• qualified

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deserved

Adjective

While the criticism is well deserved, to its credit, the report does make a handful of astute observations that Democrats would be wise not to dismiss. — Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026

Her new friends include Sam (Bianca Dumais), a rock-chick type who’s the same age as Franny and who has developed a reputation for promiscuity around town that doesn’t seem deserved. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026

Verb

Gartner estimated that of the thousands of companies claiming agentic capabilities, only about 130 were building anything that deserved the label. — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Though his father lost, Haggerty continued to believe the Tri-Valley deserved a community center for the arts. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 6 July 2026