deserving

• (General American) IPA^(key): /dɪˈzɝvɪŋ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/

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• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)vɪŋ
• Hyphenation: de‧serv‧ing

deserving (comparative more deserving, superlative most deserving)

1. worthy of reward or praise; meritorious

   the deserving poor

2. meriting, worthy (reward, punishment etc.)
   • 1941 September, “Notes and News: The London & Blackwall Cable Railway”, in Railway Magazine, pages 424–425:

     In the midst of a world war many centenaries pass unnoticed, but one which fell on August 2, namely, the opening of Fenchurch Street station, is deserving of record.

• undeserving

deserving (plural deservings)

1. desert, merit
   • 1711, Jonathan Swift, The Examiner, Number 30:

     I ​here understand that value which every man puts upon his own deservings from the publick

deserving

1. present participle and gerund of deserve