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deserve Definition

de·serve (di zʉrv′)

transitive verb deserved -·served′, deserving -·serv′·ing

to have a right to because of acts or qualities; be worthy of (reward, punishment, etc.); merit

Etymology: ME deserven < OFr deservir, to deserve < L deservire, to serve diligently < de-, intens. + servire, serve

intransitive verb

to be worthy
deserve Synonyms

deserve

v.

merit, be worthy of, earn, be deserving, earn as due compensation, lay claim to, have the right to, be given one's due, be entitled to, warrant, justify, rate*, have it coming*.

Antonyms fail*, be unworthy, usurp.

deserve Usage Examples

Object

  • mention: The final two songs here deserve an extra special mention.
  • recognition: Anyone can nominate a young person who they think deserves recognition from the local community.
  • accolade: Few things deserve this accolade more than the classic Lloyd Loom armchair.

Used with why or when

  • whatever: Remember: you deserve whatever you want because you will soon have the power to get it.

Infinitive complement

  • succeed: If Philip Green can restore the passion he deserves to succeed.
  • die: These people really did this bad thing and they really do deserve to die.
  • win: Our expert panel say who they think deserves to win.
  • lose: The Saughall Manager's view that Nomads didn't deserve to lose the game summed up the fine display by the whole squad.
  • fail: If globalization works only for the benefit of the few, then it will fail and will deserve to fail.
  • live: Quite what you have to do to deserve to live in one, I'm not sure.

Modifying Another Word

  • richly: Picnic areas are numerous on the banks of this enchanting loch which richly deserves its title of ' The Jewel of Cowal ' .
  • rightly: I've always believed Tony Hicks has never received the acclaim from the music industry that he so rightly deserves.
  • certainly: In our opinion Tribes certainly deserves the award for Most Responsible Tour Operator.
deserve Quotes

The moral of all this†is that we have the kind of advertising we deserve.

—Sayers, Dorothy L(eigh)

'Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in.' 'I should have called it Something you somehow haven't to deserve.'

—Frost, Robert Lee