Definition

Earned or merited; something that is rightfully due to someone based on their actions or qualities.

Example

She received the award for her hard work, as it was truly deserved.

Conversation

I think she really deserved that award for all her hard work.

Absolutely! She put in so many late nights preparing for the project.

It's nice to see someone get recognition they truly deserved.

Yeah, it inspires all of us to keep pushing forward.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Deserved → It is formed from "deserve" (from Old French *deservir*, meaning to earn or merit) and "-ed" (a suffix indicating past tense or completed action). The word "deserved" means that something has been earned or merited in the past.

Memory Tip

Think of having 'earned' something in the past — 'deserve' means to have earned it, and the '-ed' shows that it happened before.

Visually Confused Words