de·serv·ing
di-ˈzər-viŋ 
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
Synonyms
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
Zach Harper, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Arguments in favor of maintaining a high VAT claim artwork is a luxury good deserving of ordinary, higher VAT rates.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
In a perfect world, all the deserving nominees would be celebrating.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
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Noun
Both are household names, spectacular players and deserving of the honor.
—Zach Harper, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Arguments in favor of maintaining a high VAT claim artwork is a luxury good deserving of ordinary, higher VAT rates.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The Mean Girls alum serves as both executive producer and host on the series, which will spotlight eight more deserving community members with surprise celebrations.
—Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
In a perfect world, all the deserving nominees would be celebrating.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deserving
Dictionary Entries Near deserving
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deserving. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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