What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deserved
Example
She deserved the promotion because of her hard work and dedication. [deserved: verb]
Example
The criminal received the sentence he deserved for his crimes. [deserved: adjective]
Example
The team's victory was well-deserved after their months of training and preparation. [well-deserved: adjective]
merited
Example
The student's high grades merited praise from her teacher. [merited: verb]
Example
The company's success was merited due to their innovative products and excellent customer service. [merited: adjective]
Example
The athlete's hard work and dedication merited a spot on the national team. [merited: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deserved is more commonly used than merited in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deserved and merited?
Merited is slightly more formal than deserved.
