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
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
In fact, his head coach, JJ Redick, believes that Luka is fully deserving of the award based on specific criteria.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Ed Meza, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Around the world, spas are often physically inaccessible, retreats off-limits by design, and practitioners limited in their ability and training to see disabled bodies as deserving of the restoration everyone so desperately needs.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Adjective
In the 1980s and 1990s, the figure of the addict abruptly shifted from being considered deserving of medical treatment to being seen as an emblem of incurable criminality.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
In fact, his head coach, JJ Redick, believes that Luka is fully deserving of the award based on specific criteria.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Institute is designed to support emerging equity-deserving filmmakers and screen creatives across British Columbia and Canada.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Around the world, spas are often physically inaccessible, retreats off-limits by design, and practitioners limited in their ability and training to see disabled bodies as deserving of the restoration everyone so desperately needs.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
Adjective
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There were seven offensive tackles regarded as worthy of first-round picks in this year’s draft, and Lomu was the seventh taken.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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By 1917, downtown was taking on a postcard-worthy shape thanks to a new city park, a commanding post office with a tower, and an arcade along Ojai Avenue.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Barker studied film, cinema and video production at the University of Southern California for two years before earning a bachelor's degree in communication and media studies from the University of Miami in 2011, per LinkedIn.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
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Chapman University’s commencement weekend will run through May 24 and honor more than 3,000 Class of 2026 graduates, including approximately 850 earning advanced degrees across the university’s 11 schools and colleges.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In those situations, eligibility rules are viewed as non-meritorious and undermining a competitive market for teams to buy players’ services.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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He has been recognized six times by the Police Department for excellent and meritorious police duty, according to the NYPD’s website.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Here are The Denver Post’s 20 best fits remaining for the Broncos through rounds four, five, six, seven and beyond, if Denver indeed wants to have a good day Saturday.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just being able to be available every single day and also just bring energy and be a good clubhouse guy.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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