deserve
deserve
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "deserve" is /dɪˈzɜːrv/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
de - /dɪ/
/d/ - a voiced alveolar stop
/ɪ/ - a short, high front unrounded vowel
serve - /ˈzɜːrv/
/ˈz/ - a voiced alveolar sibilant (the 's' sound)
/ɜːr/ - a mid-central rhotic vowel (the 'er' sound in British English)
/v/ - a voiced labiodental fricative
Word Form Variations
deserve (base form / infinitive)
deserves (third-person singular present)
deserved (past tense and past participle)
deserving (present participle and gerund)
deservingly (adverb)
undeserving (adjective - opposite meaning)
undeservedly (adverb - opposite meaning)
undeservedness (noun - opposite meaning)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb:
deserve (v.): To be worthy of or entitled to something, whether good or bad, due to one's actions, qualities, or circumstances. It implies a just or fitting reward or punishment.
Synonyms: merit, earn, warrant, be entitled to, be due, justify, rate
Antonyms: undeserve, forfeit, lose, be unworthy of
Adjective:
deserving (adj.): Having qualities or actions that make one worthy of something, typically positive.
Synonyms: worthy, meritorious, commendable, laudable, righteous, fitting
Antonyms: undeserving, unworthy, blameworthy, reprehensible
undeserving (adj.): Not deserving of something, especially a positive thing. Often implies a lack of merit or worthiness.
Synonyms: unworthy, unmerited, inappropriate, unjustified, undeserved
Antonyms: deserving, worthy, meritorious, justified
Adverb:
deservingly (adv.): In a manner that is warranted or justified; as a fitting reward or consequence.
Synonyms: justifiably, rightly, appropriately, fittingly, meritoriously
Antonyms: undeservedly, unjustly, inappropriately
undeservedly (adv.): In a manner that is not warranted or justified; without merit or right.
Synonyms: unjustly, unfairly, inappropriately, unmeritedly
Antonyms: deservedly, justifiably, rightly
Noun:
deservedness (n.): The state of being worthy of something, whether positive or negative. This noun form is less common in everyday usage.
Synonyms: merit, worthiness, entitlement, due, right
Antonyms: undeservedness, unworthiness, lack of merit
undeservedness (n.): The state of not being worthy of something, often a positive thing.
Synonyms: unworthiness, lack of merit, injustice
Antonyms: deservedness, worthiness, entitlement
Examples of Use
Verb:
"He deserves a promotion after all his hard work." (General public discourse - conversation)
"Those who commit such heinous crimes deserve the harshest punishment." (News article comment section)
"No one deserves to be treated with disrespect." (Social media post - general public discourse)
"She felt she didn't deserve his kindness after the way she had treated him." (Fictional narrative)
"The team deserved to win after their exceptional performance." (Sports commentary)
Adjective:
"She is a very deserving candidate for the scholarship." (Scholarship application review)
"The undeserving rich often evade paying their fair share of taxes." (Opinion piece)
"He gave a deserving student a second chance." (Educational blog post)
"The film explores the themes of deserving and undeserving in society." (Film review)
Adverb:
"He was deservingly awarded the Nobel Prize." (News report)
"She undeservedly lost her job due to budget cuts." (Personal blog post)
"The team fought hard and deservingly won the championship." (Sports news article)
Noun:
"The question of deservedness is complex and often debated." (Philosophical essay)
"Many felt a sense of undeservedness after receiving unexpected gifts." (Short story)
10 Famous Quotes Using Deserve
"You don't always get what you want, but you get what you deserve." — Unknown (often attributed to various sources, including motivational speakers)
"We accept the love we think we deserve." — *Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
"The truth doesn’t change according to your ability to stomach it — and neither do the consequences you deserve." — Flannery O’Connor
"Men often mistake killing and revenge for justice. They seldom have the stomach to learn what they truly deserve." — George R.R. Martin
"You deserve a lover who takes away the lies and brings you hope, coffee, and poetry." — Frida Kahlo
"People don't always get what they deserve in this world." — Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler)
"Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it — and why so few deserve it." — George Bernard Shaw
"We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are. Change is painful, but often, so is staying where you don’t deserve to be." — Unknown (adapted from Max De Pree)
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." — Abraham Lincoln
"Do not be afraid to ask for what you deserve — just be ready to earn it." — Michelle Obama
Etymology
"Deserve" comes from two parts:
"de-": This prefix comes from Latin and often means "down," "away," or "completely." Think of words like "descend" or "detach." However, in the case of "deserve," it's more of an intensifier, strengthening the meaning of the root word.
"serve": This word has a long history! It comes from the Latin word "servire," which meant "to serve," like a servant. Over time, "serve" evolved to mean not just physical service, but also to be worthy of something, to earn it.
So, putting it together, "deserve" originally meant something like "to serve completely" or "to be fully worthy." It carried the idea of earning something through one's actions or qualities.
The first known use of "deserve" in English dates back to the 13th century. Initially, it carried the meaning of "to be worthy of (good or ill)," much like it does today. It wasn't just about positive things. You could deserve punishment just as much as you could deserve a reward.
Over time, while the core meaning has remained consistent, the word's usage has become more nuanced. We often use "deserve" in the context of positive things (deserving a reward, praise, etc.), but it's important to remember that it can still be used for negative consequences as well (deserving punishment).
Phrases + Idioms Containing Deserve
Why "deserve" isn't big in idioms:
Literal meaning: "Deserve" has a fairly direct meaning related to merit and entitlement. Idioms, by contrast, thrive on metaphorical and figurative language. The directness of "deserve" doesn't lend itself well to the playful or symbolic nature of idioms.
Focus on action/result: Many idioms focus on actions and their immediate consequences. "Deserve" is more about a judgment of worthiness, which is a slightly more abstract concept.
Phrases and related expressions:
Get what you deserve: This is a common phrase expressing the idea of just deserts, whether positive or negative. It's not an idiom in the strictest sense, but it's a widely used expression.
Deserve a pat on the back: This phrase suggests that someone has done something praiseworthy and merits recognition.
Deserve better: This phrase indicates that someone is in a situation that is less than they warrant, often implying mistreatment or underappreciation.
Deserve credit (for something): This phrase acknowledges that someone's efforts or contributions warrant recognition.
Deserve a break: This phrase suggests someone has worked hard and needs time to rest and relax.
(He/She) got what (he/she) deserved: This is a statement that expresses the idea of just retribution or reward.
Well-deserved: This adjective is often used to describe rewards, praise, or rest that are considered rightfully earned. For example, "a well-deserved vacation."
Richly deserved: This intensifies the idea of deserving, implying a greater degree of merit or worthiness.
Phrases using synonyms (for similar effect):
Earn your stripes: (Similar to "deserve recognition")
Reap what you sow: (Relates to deserving the consequences of one's actions)
Pay your dues: (Similar to "deserve something after a period of effort or service")
Merit a reward: (Direct synonym for "deserve a reward")
Worthy of praise: (Similar to "deserve praise")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of deserve from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
