Deserving: meaning, definitions and examples

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deserving

[dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

worthiness of reward or punishment

Worthy of being treated in a particular way, typically in a positive sense. Deserving can refer to someone who has earned or is entitled to something through their actions or qualities.

Synonyms

entitled, meritorious, worthy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deserving	Use this word when indicating someone who has earned or is worthy of a reward or recognition. It generally has a positive connotation. She is deserving of the award for her hard work and dedication. His actions were deserving of praise.
worthy	This word describes someone or something deserving recognition, respect, or reward. It is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. He is a worthy candidate for the job. The charity is a worthy cause to support.
meritorious	This word is appropriate for formal contexts, referring to something or someone deserving of recognition or reward due to significant achievements or good qualities. Her meritorious service earned her a medal of honor. The student received a scholarship for his meritorious academic performance.
entitled	This word is often used when someone believes they deserve something, whether or not they actually do. It can have a negative connotation when referring to someone who expects privileges without earning them. He felt entitled to special treatment because of his status. She acted as if she were entitled to everyone's attention.

Examples of usage

He is a deserving candidate for the award.
She worked hard and is deserving of recognition.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

needing or worthy of aid or assistance

Needing help or support, typically in a compassionate sense. Deserving can refer to someone who is in a difficult situation and deserves assistance or empathy.

Synonyms

deserving of help, needy, worthy of assistance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deserving	This word is typically used to describe someone who has earned something through their actions or qualities. It can apply to a variety of situations where recognition, reward, or help is merited. She is a deserving candidate for the award due to her hard work. The charity supports deserving students who excel academically.
needy	This term often describes someone who requires assistance due to a lack of resources. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying a prolonged or excessive need. The organization provides food and shelter to needy families. Needy students can apply for financial aid from the school.
deserving of help	This phrase is used specifically to indicate that someone is worthy of receiving assistance, usually due to their situation or actions. It's more focused on the context of needing help. The family is deserving of help after losing their home in the fire. Volunteers should prioritize those who are most deserving of help during the crisis.
worthy of assistance	This phrase is used to emphasize that someone merits help based on their circumstances or actions. It's similar to 'deserving of help' but a bit more formal. The injured veterans are considered worthy of assistance because of their service. Donations are directed towards those deemed worthy of assistance by the committee.

Examples of usage

The deserving families received donations from the community.
They are a deserving cause for our charity.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Old French 'deservir', meaning to serve or merit.
It can be traced further back to the Latin word 'deservire', where 'de-' means 'from' and 'servire' means 'to serve'.

Psychology

Research suggests that people's feelings of deservingness can affect their motivation and self-esteem.
Those who feel they deserve success are more likely to set ambitious goals and achieve them.

Culture

In many cultures, the concept of deserving often relates to moral behavior – good deeds lead to rewards.
Community values may influence perceptions of who is considered deserving, shaping social interactions.

Literature

In literature, characters often grapple with themes of deservingness, leading to moral lessons about justice and fairness.
Classic tales like 'Cinderella' portray the protagonist as deserving of better fortune due to her goodness.

Philosophy

Philosophers debate what it means to be deserving, often linking it to moral responsibility and ethical behavior.
Utilitarianism suggests that actions leading to the greatest good can define who is worthy of benefit.

Translations

Translations of the word "deserving" in other languages:

🇵🇹 merecedor

🇮🇳 योग्य

🇩🇪 verdient

🇮🇩 layak

🇺🇦 заслуговуючий

🇵🇱 zasługujący

🇯🇵 値する

🇫🇷 méritant

🇪🇸 merecedor

🇹🇷 hak eden

🇰🇷 자격이 있는

🇸🇦 مستحق

🇨🇿 zasloužící

🇸🇰 zasluhujúci si

🇨🇳 值得

🇸🇮 zaslužen

🇮🇸 verðugur

🇰🇿 лайықты

🇬🇪 დამსახურებული

🇦🇿 layiq

🇲🇽 merecedor

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,218 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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9215 reflective
9216 hitting
9217 stool
9218 deserving
9219 increment
9220 issuer
9221 tumour
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