deserving
Having earned it
Deserving means worthy of something, usually something good: a deserving cause, deserving of praise.
The word often implies merit through effort or character rather than luck or circumstance.
She's deserving of the promotion after all those years.
The deserving poor, in older usage, were those considered worthy of charity—as opposed to those blamed for their own misfortune.
Deserving approval or admiration
- admirableDeserving high regard
- laudableDeserving of recognition
- commendableWorthy of approval
- exemplaryServing as ideal model
meritorious · creditable · estimable · worthy · reputable · respectable · honorable · virtuous
Having rightful claim
- rightfulLegally or morally valid
- dueOwed or expected
- earnedGained by effort
- legitimateConforming to accepted standards
justified · warranted · owed · qualified · eligible · fitting · appropriate · proper
Impartial and unbiased
- equitableJust and unbiased
- justifiedShown to be right
- defensibleAble to be justified
- vindicatedCleared of accusation
exonerated · absolved · acquitted · rehabilitated · redressed · remedied · rectified · legitimate
Reward for winning
- trophyAward for winning
- medalMetal honor token
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- incentiveReward encouraging action
scholarship · grant · compensation · remuneration · benefit · earnings · dividend · payout
Confirmation of receipt
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- tributeOffering of respect
- homageExpression of deep respect
honor · praise · acclaim · distinction · laurels · esteem · admiration · respect
Compassionate understanding of others
- pitySympathy for misfortune
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- leniencyMildness in punishment
forgiveness · understanding · empathy · solace · comfort · kindness · benevolence · charity
praiseworthy
Deserving approval or admiration
- admirableDeserving high regard
- laudableDeserving of recognition
- commendableWorthy of approval
exemplary · meritorious · creditable · estimable · worthy · reputable · respectable · honorable · virtuous · noble
entitled
Having rightful claim
legitimate · justified · warranted · owed · qualified · eligible · fitting · appropriate · proper · vested
fair
Impartial and unbiased
- equitableJust and unbiased
- justifiedShown to be right
- defensibleAble to be justified
vindicated · exonerated · absolved · acquitted · rehabilitated · redressed · remedied · rectified · legitimate · valid
prize
Reward for winning
incentive · scholarship · grant · compensation · remuneration · benefit · earnings · dividend · payout · bounty
acknowledgment
Confirmation of receipt
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- tributeOffering of respect
homage · honor · praise · acclaim · distinction · laurels · esteem · admiration · respect · reverence
sympathy
Compassionate understanding of others
leniency · forgiveness · understanding · empathy · solace · comfort · kindness · benevolence · charity · help
- moral judgmentsgood, evil, wicked, virtuous, moral
- meritmerit, worth, worthiness, excellence, achievement
- self-worthself-esteem, self-worth, self-respect, self-love, self-acceptance
- worthvalue, merit, worth, worthiness, dignity
- blamelessinnocent, guiltless, faultless, blameless, cleared
- positive wordsyes, good, great, excellent, wonderful
deservingundeserving
Not meriting what's given
unworthy · unentitled · unmerited · worthless · no-good
deservingbase
Supporting bottom structure
contemptible · sinful · despicable · wicked · reprehensible
- deserving poorNeedy judged morally fit