DESERVED Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

deserved 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈzərvd

Definition of deserved

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deserved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of deserve

as in earned

to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

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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

Adjective

No one else’s sudden Hollywood ascension has been more deserved. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2026 Germany's head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, gave Ecuador its deserved praise for the win today, saying his own team failed to find its rhythm in the second half. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026

Verb

Harrison has spent the last eight years in jail and his attorney argued that time should be sufficient, writing in court filings that Harrison deserved to be let out of jail after his July 29 sentencing hearing. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 Nobody in training camp has been more disappointing than Ewers because his OTA and minicamp performance hinted that the second-year quarterback deserved a legitimate opportunity to compete for the starting role. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deserved

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved

Adjective

Golf equipment powerhouse Callaway ended its partnership with Good Good Golf amid the justified backlash over a video ad for a new Callaway driver that depicts a man aggressively shoving a woman to the ground.

— Greg Cote August 30, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Our community carries decades of justified mistrust toward institutions that have not always earned it.

— Chuka Onuh, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of justified

Verb

Singletary took a pay cut to the minimum salary to stay this offseason, and then earned his spot on the roster.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Bartko, who earned degrees in civil engineering and law in Belarus, fled her home country on a student visa to avoid political persecution over her vocal opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of earned

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deserved

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“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deserved

adjective

verb

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