as in justified
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
a well deserved promotion for a hard worker
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 deserved
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
That is definitely well deserved.
—Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Michael Russo, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The distributors who keep quietly burying movies that deserved a fighting chance.
—Daren Smith, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
Anything less will keep the door wide open for the Pohlad family to be a lightning rod for criticism that is very much deserved.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
That is definitely well deserved.
—Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
As Faber said so honestly after, the Avalanche deserved to win this series.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The distributors who keep quietly burying movies that deserved a fighting chance.
—Daren Smith, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
-
While that number has been met with justified skepticism from most fans, there's apparently plenty of support within the sport.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
But policies that make the economy fairer for the populace are more justified than ever.—
Alexander Heffner,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Only two were earned, but they were all deserved after Rodón fell apart in the third frame.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
-
The Packers won their fourth Super Bowl, and Rodgers earned two of his four MVPs with McCarthy calling the plays.—
Will Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
