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

In-form striker Donyell Malen scored his sixth goal in four games to put Roma ahead and Niccolò Pisilli got a deserved second in stoppage time. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

This 10-day South Bay festival marking its 18th year jams in an expansive selection of shorts — from documentaries to narratives — and gives newbie and veteran filmmakers working in various genres a much deserved spotlight. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

At the end of his long run in Foxborough, there was friction and debate over who deserved the credit for all of it, Belichick, Brady or owner Robert Kraft. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2026

Our journalism examined power and politics, questioned assumptions, surfaced stories that deserved attention and made room for perspectives that were too often overlooked. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026