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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deserved
ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Winners who submit correct answers will receive deserved newsletter fame on Friday.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 29 Mar. 2026
The San Diego Wave and their fans deserved every second of the festive Friday morning that played out at Snapdragon Stadium.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Adjective
After 90 minutes ended goalless in a match involving c ountries with geopolitical tensions, Shao Ziqin finally broke the deadlock three minutes into extra time before a late own goal sealed a deserved win for the dominant Chinese team.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Winners who submit correct answers will receive deserved newsletter fame on Friday.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Graves said that in addition to Crump, Texas starting point guard Rori Harmon deserved credit for getting her to the free-throw line.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 29 Mar. 2026
The San Diego Wave and their fans deserved every second of the festive Friday morning that played out at Snapdragon Stadium.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deserved
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved
Adjective
-
This Iran war was neither justified nor necessary.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The Ivorian’s fall was less pronounced than Cunha’s but no less justified, but no foul was given.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tumi Moshobane corralled the rebound and earned a penalty kick, and Brito’s powerful spot kick forced a rebound.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But Vásquez ended the fifth with a groundout that earned him a chance at the sixth inning.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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