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deserved

[ dih-zurvd ]

/ dɪˈzɜrvd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR deserved ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

justly or rightly earned; merited: a deserved increase in salary.

Origin of deserved

First recorded in 1545–55; deserve + -ed²

OTHER WORDS FROM deserved

de·serv·ed·ness

[dih-zur-vid-nis] /dɪˈzɜr vɪd nɪs/, noun half-de·served, adjective half-de·serv·ed·ness, noun un·de·served, adjective

well-de·served, adjective

Words nearby deserved

deserted, deserticolous, desertification, desertion, deserve, deserved, deservedly, deserving, desex, desexualize, deshabille

Example sentences from the Web for well-deserved

Cuomo has a well-deserved reputation as a master political operator.

Andrew Cuomo Can't Ignore It Now: He's Weak Even at Home |David Freedlander |September 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The former child star has been taking a well-deserved Ibiza break from her funemployment.

The Tiny Prince of Ibiza Parties On, While Kim and Paris Make Peace |Amy Zimmerman |August 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Chronic partisan bickering largely gave way to a rare moment of well-deserved self-congratulation.

Warsawgate Rocks Poland |Andrew Nagorski |June 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
South Korea humiliated Italy with great determination and well-deserved good fortune.

Why Americans Should Love the World Cup |Sean Wilsey |June 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Sure, some people were grossed out, but those who reacted in disgust got a well-deserved public shaming.

It’s About Damn Time for a Gay ‘Bachelor’ |Brandy Zadrozny |May 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
These canned fruits have an excellent and well-deserved reputation.

Foot-prints of Travel |Maturin M. Ballou
Let us, then, sir, hasten to pay to his memory the well-deserved tribute of our regard.

Thirty Years' View (Vol. I of 2) |Thomas Hart Benton
But she was a true daughter of Eve, and this well-deserved reproach only moved her to feeble recrimination.

Lover or Friend |Rosa Nouchette Carey
With this well-deserved, but none the less crushing snub she brought the car to a standstill and inadvertently stopped the motor.

The Lightning Conductor |C. N. Williamson
That high praise was once well-deserved, and was cordially given: but since, alas!

My Life as an Author |Martin Farquhar Tupper

British Dictionary definitions for well-deserved

well-deserved

adjective (well deserved when postpositive)

fully merited a well-deserved reputation