Synonyms of deserving

deserving 1 of 2

adjective

as in worthy

having sufficient worth or merit to receive one's honor, esteem, or reward

gifts donated to deserving children every Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worthy
• meritorious
• good
• special
• admirable
• commendable
• creditable
• excellent
• invaluable
• exceptional
• praiseworthy
• primary
• cherished
• laudable
• priceless
• prime
• choice
• prized
• fancy
• treasured
• high-grade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worthless
• inferior
• undeserving
• no-good
• cheap
• base
• substandard
• bad
• valueless
• defective
• imperfect
• inadequate
• insufficient
• deficient
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• second-rate
• flawed

deserving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of deserve

as in earning

to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment)

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Synonyms & Similar Words

• earning
• meriting
• rating
• qualifying
• entitling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deserving

Adjective

Zibanejad was a deserving team MVP in an otherwise demoralizing 2025-26 campaign, posting his highest totals in three years for goals (34) and points (78). — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

There have been many years when none of the nominees were really deserving of an Oscar. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

Also set up as an equal gift of more than $800,000, this scholarship began providing education assistance to deserving Roanoke grads beginning with the class of 2018. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2026

Yet while this measure is undeniably helpful, its effectiveness may still hinge on strict remarriage qualifications, which may limit the benefits available to deserving families. — Cristina Johnson, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026