as in worthy
having sufficient worth or merit to receive one's honor, esteem, or reward
gifts donated to deserving children every Christmas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in earning
to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment)
the team really deserved that victory after the way they played
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deserving
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 May 2025
While her husband, Isaac, is firm in the right of succession for Esau, Rebekah is equally convinced that Jacob is the most deserving one to be the rightful heir.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 May 2025
PCMAG, 23 Feb. 2025
There are myriad factors for this season’s likely outcome and achievements in both camps that are deserving of acclaim; good signings, good coaching, good decisions at the right moment.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Adjective
That’s why Rubin believes that movies with leads already on board shouldn’t be any less deserving of awards recognition.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 May 2025
While her husband, Isaac, is firm in the right of succession for Esau, Rebekah is equally convinced that Jacob is the most deserving one to be the rightful heir.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Verb
Still, the Lexar Professional Go With Hub provides an effective solution for iPhone videographers who want to record 4K ProRes video with high frame rates without swamping precious device memory, and is deserving of our highest recommendation.
—PCMAG, 23 Feb. 2025
There are myriad factors for this season’s likely outcome and achievements in both camps that are deserving of acclaim; good signings, good coaching, good decisions at the right moment.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deserving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserving
Adjective
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But the Huskies went out with pride in a neck-and-neck game, playing their best defense of the season against a worthy adversary that ultimately won it all.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
5 June 2025
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The union will introduce a new customer to the Supriya universe and, in turn, project her namesake brand to a global audience–a worthy opportunity in this testing fashion landscape.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The governor’s plan would make pre-K free for families earning up to $100,000 a year, and $20 a day for those earning up to $150,000.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2025
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Two weeks later, Payne carried the Lancers to a championship in La Jolla’s Beach City Invitational, earning the tournament’s MVP for middles.—
Tim Meehan SD,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In selling its example and worldview, China could draw on Confucian ideas, including the notion that collective values are more meritorious than individualistic ones.—
RANA MITTER,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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Zion first responders recognized Zion recognized firefighters and police officers recently for their brave and meritorious actions in two different instances.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Then, Bennett, the Panthers best player these playoffs, took a tripping penalty behind the play coming out of the offensive zone.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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As good as Trachtenberg is at keeping secrets, this particular one seems unlikely.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserving. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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