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
Relevance
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
Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025
There are questions about which of the three teams is most deserving of the top spot.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Nick Tzitzon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Through sponsorships and private support, the foundation continues to fund equipment, training, and travel for deserving young athletes.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Adjective
That quirk of the JWST never faded, as the telescope naturally cocoons its targets in only the most deserving frames.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025
There are questions about which of the three teams is most deserving of the top spot.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
That’s a big responsibility, deserving of credibility earned from past experience.
—Nick Tzitzon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Through sponsorships and private support, the foundation continues to fund equipment, training, and travel for deserving young athletes.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
Adjective
-
And fans seem to see these rings as signs that their respective men are worthy partners.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Nov. 2025
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Live bootlegs of this tour (like Patriots of the Wasteland or Five Alive) definitely make the case that this lineup had a worthy album in them.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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My daughter and son earning advanced degrees from LSU and a third who began his career working at the university.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Many outlets began operating independently, earning revenue through advertising.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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No meritorious credit will be granted.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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MacVean, who lived in Point Loma for nearly 50 years, was lauded for his work, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal on two occasions for meritorious service.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, on his eighth touch, Payne turned a good play into a disaster.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
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Arsenal’s second-half performance here was arguably their best of the campaign.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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