deserving

1 of 2

noun

de·​serv·​ing di-ˈzər-viŋ How to pronounce deserving (audio)
: desert, merit
reward the proud according to their deservingsCharles Kingsley

deserving

2 of 2

adjective

1
: having good qualities that deserve praise, support, etc. : meritorious, worthy
rewarding deserving workers
scholarships for deserving students
2
: appropriately having or being given something specified
used with of
a proposal deserving of support [=a proposal that deserves support]
a criminal deserving of punishment
deservingly adverb
deservingness noun

Examples of deserving in a Sentence

Adjective He's a very deserving young man. The church provides aid to deserving families.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Some fans have accused Bryan of cheating, while others have declared LaPaglia deserving of the heartbreak. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2024 But few tables skip out on the camote asado, an opener deserving of main dish status. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Some are more important than others, and therefore more deserving of praise. Wayne Parker, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 In its short first-season run, the series succeeds in weaving a remarkable number of ideas together, the bad guys most deserving of comeuppance getting at least something in the ballpark of justice, but potential fans will still be gratified to know that a second season is officially on its way. Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deserving 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English deserving, deservinge, from gerund of deserven "to deserve"

Adjective

from present participle of deserve

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deserving was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near deserving

Cite this Entry

“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deserving. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

deserving

adjective
de·​serv·​ing
di-ˈzər-viŋ
: worthy entry 1 sense 2
especially : worthy of financial help
aid for deserving families

More from Merriam-Webster on deserving

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!