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

This 10-day South Bay festival marking its 18th year jams in an expansive selection of shorts — from documentaries to narratives — and gives newbie and veteran filmmakers working in various genres a much deserved spotlight. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026 The toilet bowl has Díaz-Canel’s face painted on it, so people can leave their deserved offering. — Sarah Moreno august 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Jane Doe deserved a police department that actually followed up on her case. — Jeannine Chiang, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan clashed often about strategy and which man deserved more public recognition for the team’s success. — Ira Kaufman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deserved

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deserved

Adjective

Based purely on average revenue per user, a key metric for telecom companies, Jio's discount to Airtel seems justified, but Jio wants to be seen as a tech company and not just a utility player.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
That is, if the company were to spend at a higher-than-justified level to meet the terms of its agreement with Raoul's office, whether that spending can be passed on to ratepayers will still be subject to the commission's scrutiny.

— Maggie Dougherty, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of justified

Verb

Lawmakers were surprised to learn that nearly 1,700 state employees in all departments were paid more than $50,000 in overtime alone, while nearly 2,600 employees earned more than $40,000 in overtime in addition to their salaries.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Their primary race is still regarded as a historic political earthquake, but, in the final tally, Ocasio-Cortez earned fewer than seventeen thousand votes.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of earned

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deserve

deserved

deserves

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“Deserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deserved. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deserved

adjective

verb

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