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

The New Orleans Police Department and first responders deserve to be recognized for exhibiting extreme bravery under horrific circumstances. —Eric Tucker, Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025

His regime was an abomination that deserved to fall, regardless of what comes next. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

Sapan noted that Dolan deserves credit for launching the first regional cable sports network, coming out of Madison Square Garden, and later regional cable news channels via Cablevision’s News12 group. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 Dec. 2024

Still, his legacy deserves admiration and, for many a reboot. —Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 30 Dec. 2024

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