deserve

/dɪˈzʌrv/

/dɪˈzʌv/

Other forms: deserved; deserves; deserving

We deserve things based on our actions. For example, many people believe murderers deserve the death penalty.

Deserve is used in many ways, but it always carries a sense of balance or justice. If someone receives an award for their work, it means they deserve praise and attention. If you deserve a day off, it means you've been working hard and have earned a vacation. If you threw a book during class, you deserve a punishment of some kind. Many laws — and lots of arguments — are about deciding what different people deserve. It's often hard to tell.

Definitions of deserve

1. verb

   be worthy or deserving
   “You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done”

   synonyms: merit

   types:

   have it coming

   deserve (either good or bad)

   type of:

   be

   have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)