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
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The promotion is not only well deserved—programming launched under Walden has received over 1,200 awards, including more than 400 Emmys.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Other lawmakers argued that the bill deserved a full discussion where legislators could talk through some of the concerns, but the committee decided not to introduce the bill on a 7-7 vote.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
To Spoelstra the approach remains that youth will be served when deserved, and even then not at the cost of one more victory, even amid the seemingly inescapable reality of a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in round.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The promotion is not only well deserved—programming launched under Walden has received over 1,200 awards, including more than 400 Emmys.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Sophie has spent so long this season being a role of service, and for Benedict to now be washing her hair and then pleasuring her felt like a really nice switcheroo that Sophie deeply deserved.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Other lawmakers argued that the bill deserved a full discussion where legislators could talk through some of the concerns, but the committee decided not to introduce the bill on a 7-7 vote.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
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Once an investigation is complete, findings are typically forwarded to a district attorney, who determines whether the officer’s actions meet Oklahoma’s legal standard for justified use of deadly force.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
5 Mar. 2026
-
An attack on Iran was both justified and necessary.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The victory earned back-to-back state titles for Decatur.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
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Most billionaires, including those named by Sanders, have earned their fortunes by producing values that consumers are willing to pay for.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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