Synonyms of deserving

deserving 1 of 2

adjective

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

• worthy
• meritorious
• good
• special
• admirable
• commendable
• creditable
• excellent
• invaluable
• exceptional
• praiseworthy
• primary
• cherished
• laudable
• priceless
• prime
• choice
• prized
• fancy
• treasured
• high-grade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worthless
• inferior
• undeserving
• no-good
• cheap
• base
• substandard
• bad
• valueless
• defective
• imperfect
• inadequate
• insufficient
• deficient
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• second-rate
• flawed

deserving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of deserve

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

• earning
• meriting
• rating
• qualifying
• entitling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deserving

Adjective

People willing to advocate directly for dynamic, deserving women. — Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Zibanejad was a deserving team MVP in an otherwise demoralizing 2025-26 campaign, posting his highest totals in three years for goals (34) and points (78). — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

The cohost made sure to add that Donda West is more than deserving of the honor. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

Also set up as an equal gift of more than $800,000, this scholarship began providing education assistance to deserving Roanoke grads beginning with the class of 2018. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2026