deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

transitive verb

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves another chance

intransitive verb

: to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some reward or requital

… have become recognized as they deserve.

—T. S. Eliot

a worse punishment than he deserved

deserver noun

Synonyms

• earn
• merit
• rate

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Recent Examples on the Web

This Amazon comedy deserved to be a bigger hit — but these friends will stay with us forever. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 25 Jan. 2025

Trump was asked by a reporter on Tuesday at a White House press conference why Rodriguez deserved a pardon for stunning a police officer, along with others convicted of assaulting officers. —Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2025

With prices starting at $33, these budget-friendly finds deserve a spot in your suitcase. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2025

Renee Lawler, who first moved to the block in 1981, says the equestrian community in Long Beach is historic, fragile and deserves to thrive. —Laura Anaya-Morga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deserven, disserven "to be worthy of, attain what one deserves," borrowed from Anglo-French deservir, desservir, deserver "to deserve, merit, earn, be entitled to" (also continental Old & Middle French), going back to Medieval Latin dēservīre "to serve, officiate (at mass), hold land by service, earn, deserve," going back to Latin, "to spend one's time in, devote oneself (to pursuits, interests), be submissive to, comply with," from dē- de- + servīre "to perform duties for (a master) in the capacity of a slave, act in subservience, be at the service of" — more at serve entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing deserve

• deserve a medal

Kids Definition

deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves another chance