deserved

[ dih-zurvd ]

adjective

1. justly or rightly earned; merited:

   a deserved increase in salary.

Other Words From

• de·serv·ed·ness [dih-, zur, -vid-nis], noun
• half-de·served adjective
• half-de·served·ness noun
• unde·served adjective
• well-de·served adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deserved¹

First recorded in 1545–55; deserve + -ed ²

Example Sentences

“America’s schoolchildren and college students deserved an Education Secretary who brings deep education experience to the role,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

In a febrile atmosphere where Van de Zandschulp's missed first serves were cheered, the 29-year-old Dutchman deserved great credit for staying focused and seeing out an important victory for his nation.

From BBC

"My initials are obviously CBS, I say 'consistency builds success' and I think he had the consistency tonight. They deserved to come out with the win. I have a huge amount of respect for him."

From BBC

Carsley has occasionally looked uncomfortable in his lofty position, but this was a vital moment for him and England, so he fully deserved to relish it.

From BBC

They treated it all like some terrible board game when they should have been sounding the alarms and giving the most menacing threat in American history the editorial weight it deserved.

From Salon

Related Words

• earned
• proper
• rightful