deserved

adjective

de·​served di-ˈzərvd How to pronounce deserved (audio)
: of, relating to, or being that which one deserves
a deserved reputation
deservedly
di-ˈzər-vəd-lē How to pronounce deserved (audio)
-ˈzərvd-lē
adverb
deservedness
di-ˈzər-vəd-nəs How to pronounce deserved (audio)
-ˈzərvd-nəs
noun

Examples of deserved in a Sentence

a well deserved promotion for a hard worker
Recent Examples on the Web Posthumously, though, Cumming has been experiencing a much deserved mini-revival. Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2024 Sometimes the obstacle is another person, who might challenge progress through resistance or injustice, such as a boss who does not give a deserved pay raise. Heather Lench, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2024 And for all the deserved flack first-year defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has received this season, coordinating a secondary to handle long-developing plays in zone coverage is his bailiwick. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024 This award is a deserved acknowledgment of our casting directors’ exceptional talents and a testament to the dedicated efforts of our branch. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2024 Over the years, Nathaniel has built highly capable, cohesive teams and earned the well- deserved respect and admiration of leaders and colleagues at every level of the organization for his collaborative approach and expertise. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Jan. 2024 Many of the wins felt deserved but somewhat anticlimactic, given the unusual timing of the Emmys following the Globes, and the fact that so many of the shows that won swept multiple categories, keeping the number of winning series relatively low overall. Melissa Locker, TIME, 16 Jan. 2024 Others meanwhile posited that aliens deserved credit for the peculiar monolith. Benjamin Plackett, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2024 Some justice for the survivors has, indeed, been achieved; not nearly enough as hoped for and deserved. James Hill, ABC News, 4 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deserved.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of deserve

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deserved was circa 1552

Dictionary Entries Near deserved

Cite this Entry

“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deserved. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deserved

adjective
de·​served -ˈzərvd How to pronounce deserved (audio)
: of, relating to, or being that which one deserves
a deserved punishment
deservedly adverb
deservedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deserved

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