adj
Common
deserved
dih-ZURVD
Deserved (adj) means Earned or merited; fair given the circumstances. Example: “Her promotion was fully deserved after years of loyal service.”
adj
1
Earned or merited; fair given the circumstances.
"Her promotion was fully deserved after years of loyal service."
"The team celebrated their deserved victory with a long dinner."
"It was a well-deserved win after months of hard training."
"When the victim fails or refuses, the punishment is perceived as being more deserved."
— Scott Daniel Corey, Strength of the Pack: Revolution and Threat Management (1992)
How to use deserved
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFairly earned, not just handed out.
Common pairings
a deserved victory
well-deserved rest
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more deserved
- Superlative
- most deserved
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Her promotion was fully _____ after years of loyal service.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for deserved
See all rhymes for deserved →Frequently asked questions
What does “deserved” mean?
The word “deserved” means earned or merited; fair given the circumstances. In plain terms, fairly earned, not just handed out.
How do you pronounce “deserved”?
“Deserved” is pronounced dih-ZURVD (/dɪˈzɝvd/ in IPA).
How do you use “deserved” in a sentence?
Here is “deserved” used in a sentence: “It was a well-deserved win after months of hard training.”
What part of speech is “deserved”?
“Deserved” is an adjective.
Is “deserved” a common word?
“Deserved” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between deserved and deserving?
"Deserved" describes the reward or outcome that has been earned, as in "a deserved win." "Deserving" describes the person or thing worthy of it, as in "a deserving winner," so the two are not interchangeable.
What is the difference between deserved and earned?
Both suggest something was rightly received, but "earned" stresses the effort or work put in, while "deserved" stresses that the outcome is fair given the circumstances. A reward can be deserved because it is just, even if little direct effort was involved.
Does deserved always describe something positive?
No. "Deserved" means earned or fair given the circumstances, which can apply to punishment as well as reward, as in "a deserved penalty." The word points to fairness, not necessarily to a good outcome.
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