as in worthy
having sufficient worth or merit to receive one's honor, esteem, or reward
gifts donated to deserving children every Christmas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in earning
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deserving
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
At this point, Maye is the only player from the Patriots’ 2024 draft class who will be deserving of a second contract.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Therefore, Tagovailoa’s not deserving of hatred, or pity for what’s to come, which supposedly hasn’t been decided according to a chat the new regime had with season-ticket holders Thursday night.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Adjective
Perhaps the chair has some thoughts on why the woman thinks her purse is more deserving than yourself.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
At this point, Maye is the only player from the Patriots’ 2024 draft class who will be deserving of a second contract.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The philanthropists will drill holes with their pro device and lend equipment to deserving anglers.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Therefore, Tagovailoa’s not deserving of hatred, or pity for what’s to come, which supposedly hasn’t been decided according to a chat the new regime had with season-ticket holders Thursday night.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
Adjective
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Amazon has so many compliment-worthy pieces to add to your collection this winter.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
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The pathway out of poverty can only be cleared—and forged—when we all are involved and recognize parents in poverty as capable and worthy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The average family of four earning $95,000 would save roughly $6,000.—
JEFF STEIN THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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Sac State women aim to surprise The Sac State women made history in 2023 in winning its first Big Sky Conference Tournament, thus earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament bid, doing so under coach Mark Campbell in his second and final season with the program.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Educators presented with the award of meritorious service have gone above and beyond in service to their school communities, the state board said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Too many courts for too long have avoided grappling with legitimate and meritorious challenges to election rules by dismissing cases on standing grounds.—
Ashley Lopez,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Tallen said his firm has a history of turning around distressed properties in good locations.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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His communication on the defensive end of the floor has been really good, too.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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