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

No one else’s sudden Hollywood ascension has been more deserved. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Germany's head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, gave Ecuador its deserved praise for the win today, saying his own team failed to find its rhythm in the second half. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026

Verb

That was, frankly, ridiculous, and our coverage said as much, arguing that this deep dive into one of Hollywood’s most notorious genre disasters deserved a much wider release. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 July 2026

Davido has lived his entire adult life in public, and has weathered celebration, scrutiny, controversy, warranted criticism, deserved accolades, and unimaginable loss under a microscope. — Ivie Ani, VIBE.com, 30 July 2026