To Deserve

1. (transitive) To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.
2. (obsolete) To earn, win.
3. (obsolete) To reward, to give in return for service.
4. (obsolete) To serve; to treat; to benefit.

Usage notes

• This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs
• This is generally a stative verb that rarely takes the continuous inflection. See Category:English stative verbs

Synonyms

• merit