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
Logan Smith, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
In a business that loves a great origin story, Merino’s is refreshing as an outsider who has taken a very deserved seat at the Hollywood table.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
My digital life deserved a professional-grade firewall, and getting Norton's 360 Deluxe Antivirus plan was like finally having a personal security detail for my data.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
Because of them, this guy will serve a much deserved and lengthy sentence in state prison.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
In a business that loves a great origin story, Merino’s is refreshing as an outsider who has taken a very deserved seat at the Hollywood table.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
After seven years in business, Whitecrest Eatery in Stonington, got the attention many say it has long-deserved by being named New London County’s Restaurant of the Year by the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
My digital life deserved a professional-grade firewall, and getting Norton's 360 Deluxe Antivirus plan was like finally having a personal security detail for my data.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
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But even a justified intervention can erode democratic norms if undertaken without sustained public explanation.—
Kenneth Zagacki,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2026
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The former mayor also added no local government had done more than the city of Sacramento to address homelessness, though residents’ frustration is absolutely justified.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Tigers' loss leaves no Philadelphia-area teams in either tournament after teams from Lehigh, Villanova and the University of Pennsylvania earned spots, with none advancing past the first round.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Only one of the blows earned a foul, a flagrant-one on star Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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