deserve

2 definitions • 7 examples

to have earned or to be given something because of the way you have behaved or the qualities you have:

After all that hard work, you deserve a holiday.

deserve thanks Chris deserves our special thanks for all his efforts.

deserve punishment I hope they get the punishment they deserve.

[ + to infinitive ] They certainly deserved to win that game.

to have earned something or be given something because of your actions or qualities:

[ T ] These charities deserve your support.

[ + to infinitive ] The American people deserve to know what went wrong.

[ T ] I hope those crooks get what they deserve (= receive a punishment that suits their crime).