as in justified
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
a well deserved promotion for a hard worker
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Recent Examples of deserved
Jared Gans, The Hill, 29 Jan. 2026
As BoCo legacies go, a permanent tribute to Barry isn’t just deserved.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Beandrea July, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
That said, congratulations are well deserved for Charley Crockett, Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson, Margo Price, and Zach Top.
—Essence, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
Winners who submit correct answers will receive deserved newsletter fame on Friday.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 29 Jan. 2026
As BoCo legacies go, a permanent tribute to Barry isn’t just deserved.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
At its best, the documentary functions as an act of deep listening and a step — however incomplete — toward reckoning with the harm done to three Black boys who deserved far better.
—Beandrea July, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
That said, congratulations are well deserved for Charley Crockett, Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson, Margo Price, and Zach Top.
—Essence, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
-
Sweet Venus enters your thoughtful sign, empowering you with justified confidence in your powers of attraction.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment, but officials there have broadly defended the department’s actions as not only justified but necessary for ensuring the rule of law and holding alleged criminals to account.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Terrance Gore, a baseball player whose remarkable speed earned him spots on three championship teams, including the 2020 Dodgers, died Friday, the Kansas City Royals announced on social media.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Hegseth earned a master's degree from Harvard but symbolically returned his diploma in a 2022 Fox News segment.—
JOCELYN GECKER,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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