Word Study
deserve
OXFORD DICTIONARY
deserve, v.tr. (often foll. by to + infin.) show conduct or qualities worthy of (reward, punishment, etc.) (deserves to be imprisoned; deserves a prize).
Idiom
deserve well (or ill) of be worthy of good (or bad) treatment at the hands of (deserves well of the electorate).
Derivative
deservedly adv. deservedness n. deserver n.
Etymology
ME f. OF deservir f. L deservire (as DE-, servire serve)
ROGET THESAURUS
deserve
Right
VB be right, stand to reason, see justice done, see one righted, see fair play, do justice to, recompense, bold the scales even, give and take, serve one right, put the saddle on the right horse, give every one his due, give the devil his due, audire alteram partem, deserve.Dueness
VB be due, to, be the due, of, have right to, have title to, have claim to, be entitled to, have a claim upon, belong to, deserve, merit, be worthy of, richly deserve, demand, claim, call upon for, come upon for, appeal to for, revendicate, reclaim, exact, insist on, insist upon, challenge, take one's stand, make a point of, require, lay claim to, assert, assume, arrogate, make good, substantiate, vindicate a claim, vindicate a right, fit for, qualify for, make out a case, give a right, confer a right, entitle, authorize, sanctify, legalize, ordain, prescribe, allot, give every one his due, pay one's dues, have one's due, have one's rights, use a right, assert, enforce, put in force, lay under contribution.For further exploring for "deserve" in Webster Dictionary Online