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
Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
And for all the deserved accolades to European captain Luke Donald, such a man exists on that side.
—Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2025
Cohen beat back primary challengers in his first campaigns for the 9th congressional district, who argued that the majority-Black seat deserved Black representation.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
Given how nonplussed so many people were by his Thomas Pynchon adaptation, you’d be forgiven for thinking Anderson snatched a deserved nomination from Gillian Flynn for her Gone Girl adaptation.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
And for all the deserved accolades to European captain Luke Donald, such a man exists on that side.
—Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Lewis rejected their challenge of Ruiz’s conviction but agreed the sentence deserved another look.
—Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2025
Cohen beat back primary challengers in his first campaigns for the 9th congressional district, who argued that the majority-Black seat deserved Black representation.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
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If the current fiscal package is estimated to not only cover its costs but grow the economy too, the path is justified, argued Zandi.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
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Who can claim this jumble of junior-varsity field hockey teams, center-justified poetry, and polyester tux jackets as their intellectual property?—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This Navfalcon Hidden Camera Detector has earned a permanent spot in my travel bag; this gadget picks up the radio frequency (RF) signals that are emitted by cameras and alerts you when these wireless signals have been detected.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Dylan, Olivia and Karagach's performance earned them 36/40 from the judges and plenty of high praise.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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