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
Jason Jones, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Teammates including James and Doncic count Reaves among their peers deserving of star status.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Adames looked nothing like a player deserving of a $182 million deal in the first few months as a Giant.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Adjective
The 65-game benchmark is unnecessary for trying to fix something voters have no control over — when players play — and forces voters to reward players who might not be deserving of league-wide honors.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Teammates including James and Doncic count Reaves among their peers deserving of star status.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
Zamora Wilson began a committee hearing last week by quoting Benjamin Franklin’s line about how giving up essential liberty for temporary safety makes one deserving of neither.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Adames looked nothing like a player deserving of a $182 million deal in the first few months as a Giant.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
Adjective
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Picture an army of worthy USTR officials solemnly poring over Bangladesh’s structural overcapacity in manufacturing with all the seriousness of purpose that the exercise demands.—
Mihir Sharma,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
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For Florida, when a potentially challenge-worthy play unfolds on the court all eyes turn to Crist.—
Maura Carey,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In his first full pro season in ’25, the southpaw dominated High-A before earning a promotion to Hartford.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
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The film was a critical and commercial smash, earning more than $100 million at the box office and scoring seven Oscars including best picture.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Another newcomer, closer Pete Fairbanks, the Marlins’ $13 million free-agent splurge, finished the game in good fashion.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
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A level head will be your best asset.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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