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
Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 July 2025
But that all could soon change with an ambitious project to remove the dam that officials are hailing as a deserved environmental win.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Some lieutenant governors deserved their pay as agency heads or as effective advisers to governors, notably under Govs.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
The Athletics receive plenty of deserved flak about playing in Sacramento — which was a purposeful move — while Tampa Bay continues to play elite baseball despite playing home games in another minor-league park (not purposeful) and continuing to pinch pennies.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 July 2025
But that all could soon change with an ambitious project to remove the dam that officials are hailing as a deserved environmental win.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Verb
The Canucks deserved to be down by a goal or two, but Kevin Lankinen’s sharp play kept the score tied in the first period.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Some lieutenant governors deserved their pay as agency heads or as effective advisers to governors, notably under Govs.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
-
But the common strand in their brutal methodology was the Marxist conviction that violence is a necessary and justified catalyst of change.—
Katja Hoyer,
semafor.com,
19 July 2025
-
To convert justified public frustration into a license for withdrawal.—
Noliwe Rooks,
Time,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
Hamlin earned a scholarship this season and Campbell said this was one of the most pivotal moments of his career.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Nate Schmidt took on Domi in defense of his teammate, and the pair earned fighting majors.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share