as in justified
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
a well deserved promotion for a hard worker
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Recent Examples of deserved
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Anything less will keep the door wide open for the Pohlad family to be a lightning rod for criticism that is very much deserved.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 8 June 2026
Given how suspiciously and viciously the team’s fans reacted to their ownership through the years, the Kroenkes deserved this snapshot.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
Only our legal citizens should vote, and deserved welfare should go first to Americans in need and our veterans.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Anything less will keep the door wide open for the Pohlad family to be a lightning rod for criticism that is very much deserved.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
Lopez deserved an Oscar nomination for the latter.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 8 June 2026
Given how suspiciously and viciously the team’s fans reacted to their ownership through the years, the Kroenkes deserved this snapshot.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
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Many see the escalation not just as justified—but long overdue.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Dec. 2025
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Pop culture has been so stuck in a mode of romanticizing pioneers and settlers that American Primeval, with its insistence on diving into Mormon history and rejecting the idea that violence in the name of gaining power is justified, feels like a balancing of the scales.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The show, which stars Collins alongside Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park and Lucas Bravo, has racked up nearly a dozen Primetime Emmy nominations in its five-year run, as well as earned Collins a Golden Globe nod for best performance by an actress in a comedy series in 2021.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
25 Aug. 2025
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These top-performing models earned our enthusiastic recommendation for anyone looking to bring a touch of spa-level luxury home.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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