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
Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
The Avs’ overall talent has somehow made individuals less deserving.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
The speed at which the system adjudicates cases benefits deserving victims but also abets fraud.
—Ike Brannon, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Adjective
Players started bleating, serenading James with sounds deserving of the GOAT — greatest of all time.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
The Avs’ overall talent has somehow made individuals less deserving.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
Verb
There are a ton of coaches around the league right now deserving of recognition.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
The speed at which the system adjudicates cases benefits deserving victims but also abets fraud.
—Ike Brannon, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
Adjective
-
In one scene, Little Death lays outrageously bloody waste to the frisky incoming counselors of Camp Miasma (played by Zach Cherry, Quintessa Swindell, and Eva Victor, among others) in a long take set to a needle drop that shouldn’t be spoiled but that adds up to something worthy of blissing out to.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
-
Environmental-news headlines get little attention, court challenges play out in obscurity, and when people do protest, our air, water, forests, and oceans seem like afterthoughts amid so many other worthy causes.—
John Reid,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In recent weeks, Pratt's campaign has gained momentum after receiving high-profile donations, including a contribution from Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, and earning support from Hollywood's elite.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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The actor lent his friend the running shoes, earning an invitation to the date.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
14 May 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
-
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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Guests don’t even need to leave the Torre Virreyes building to dine at a few other top restaurants in the area, including the aforementioned Carmela y Sal, which has one of the city’s best tasting menus.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Shohei Ohtani also put together good at-bats.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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