DESERVING Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

deserving 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of deserving

as in worthy

having sufficient worth or merit to receive one's honor, esteem, or reward gifts donated to deserving children every Christmas

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deserving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of deserve

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

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of deserving

Adjective

It’s rooted in the idea that there’s a hierarchy to being an American — that some people are more capable, more deserving than others — which is the exact opposite of what the 14th Amendment stands for. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 Iraqis in 2003, like Palestinians today, were not seen as full human beings deserving of life, freedom, or justice. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

The cohost made sure to add that Donda West is more than deserving of the honor. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026 Also set up as an equal gift of more than $800,000, this scholarship began providing education assistance to deserving Roanoke grads beginning with the class of 2018. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deserving

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving

Adjective

It’s filled with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate pieces with drool-worthy flavors like raspberry ganache, chocolate lava cake, strawberry cheesecake, salted caramel, vanilla dream, and more.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
These are worthy goals, but Trump’s policies have badly missed their mark.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of worthy

Verb

The native of Plainview, Texas, quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic running backs of the 1970s, earning a Pro Bowl selection and leading the Rams in rushing each year from 1973 to 1977 in coach Chuck Knox’s productive offense.

— Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The estimate models a married, two-earner couple with one child earning the national median family income of $99,999.

— Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of earning

Adjective

The process is highly competitive, and only the proposals deemed the most meritorious receive funding.

— Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026
These are lawsuits that are not meritorious but are brought to any of harass, intimidate or retaliate against defendants for their exercise of their free speech and related rights.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of meritorious

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deserves

deserving

desex

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Style

“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deserving

adjective

verb

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