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
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Hopefully the Yankees will see fit to celebrate the 1976 season in different ways this year and in that respect there can be no better time to present Nettles, the greatest of all (clean) Yankee third baseman, with a long overdue and much deserved plaque in Monument Park.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Butts agreed—like his own professional journey, the area deserved a second life.
—Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
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
Hopefully the Yankees will see fit to celebrate the 1976 season in different ways this year and in that respect there can be no better time to present Nettles, the greatest of all (clean) Yankee third baseman, with a long overdue and much deserved plaque in Monument Park.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
The guys deserved a top-level performance from the referees.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Butts agreed—like his own professional journey, the area deserved a second life.
—Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
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Sweet Venus enters your thoughtful sign, empowering you with justified confidence in your powers of attraction.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment, but officials there have broadly defended the department’s actions as not only justified but necessary for ensuring the rule of law and holding alleged criminals to account.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ferree — a 19-year-old product of the United Soccer League’s now-defunct San Diego Loyal SC program — earned the start with Pablo Sisniega serving a one-game suspension and CJ dos Santos still recovering from a broken cheekbone sustained last July.—
Kyle Kensing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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The poll’s methods were misleading but earned countless headlines nonetheless.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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