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
Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Social media has intensified this by creating environments where Black girls’ images, bodies, and choices are treated as public commentary topics rather than human experiences deserving of care.
—Essence, 11 May 2026
Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 19 May 2026
This plan is an atrocity deserving to be overturned — quickly.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Adjective
Most deserving queen ever ever.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Social media has intensified this by creating environments where Black girls’ images, bodies, and choices are treated as public commentary topics rather than human experiences deserving of care.
—Essence, 11 May 2026
Verb
The problem is there’s a bit of a logjam right now with drivers like Burton, Bonnett and Biffle, all of whom won a relatively similar amount of Cup races, in addition to deserving crew chiefs and engine builders.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 19 May 2026
This plan is an atrocity deserving to be overturned — quickly.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
Adjective
-
Finally, in 100 words or less, what makes this hotel worthy of Hot List?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
That was due to the fact that the majority of the house never put up an ounce of resistance, leading to a long, boring slog of a season that was only interrupted by bouts of bullying and cringe-worthy comments poking fun at rape, race, and the trans community.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Verb
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However, the new deduction limitation on top-earning individuals now applies to trusts and estates, according to a footnote in the Joint Committee on Taxation's recent tax explainer, better known as the Bluebook.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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This will allow savers to keep their money gathered in one location while also being able to pay expenses, all while earning close to $4 for every $100 deposited.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Hegseth's military awards include two Bronze Star Medals for meritorious service, according to the Pentagon.—
June 1,
NPR,
1 June 2026
-
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
Adjective
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But on the other hand the club also needed power, and even in a best case scenario Durbin never projected as someone who’d move the needle much in that area.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
Then obviously, the Colorado Eagles and the Colorado Avalanche — just two really good teams.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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