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

Just like Vinicius in grounds across Spain, however, Lamine did not deserve the racist abuse leveled at him which can be heard in videos shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

Why Quito should be your next trip:This city deserves to be more than a Galápagos stopover How to get to Loreto Traveling to Loreto from the U.S. is convenient, with a direct flight from Los Angeles to Loreto International Airport taking about 90 minutes. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024

Editor Jesse Goldsmith deserves kudos for some very tricky film editing with all those panels that are a more modest version of what Norman Jewison used in The Thomas Crown Affair. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2024

For those seeking a signature scent that transcends seasonal boundaries, this latest addition to the Libre family deserves your attention. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 25 Oct. 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