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
Lisa Bloch, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2025
The Miami Dolphins’ past week started with veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler getting paid a deserved extension and ended with a draw in a preseason game at Soldier Field.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
In terms of wide appeal and commercial success, Saint Etienne always deserved better.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
The veterinarian gave me a stern — and much deserved — talking to about how his weight can seriously affect his health.
—Lisa Bloch, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2025
The Miami Dolphins’ past week started with veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler getting paid a deserved extension and ended with a draw in a preseason game at Soldier Field.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Michael deserved a large portion of the blame.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
In terms of wide appeal and commercial success, Saint Etienne always deserved better.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
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Today, as the world's justified horror at the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza grows, that work has taken on new urgency.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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Instead, the miniseries — adapted from Michelle Frances’ novel by Naomi Sheldon and Gabbie Asher — makes clear relatively early that even if both women are at fault, one of them is far more justified than the other in her level of mistrust.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Economic response The trillions of dollars in revenue earned annually from the region’s oil and gas exports are strategically invested in global assets, which partially leverages the region’s soft power to secure influence in the world’s key decision-making centers.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Great Britain’s winning performance from Friday’s four races, held in bright sunshine and warm gusty breeze, earned driver Dylan Fletcher and his team their second victory of the season.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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