deservedly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'deservedly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something is appropriate or fair after considering the circumstances. Example: He was deservedly awarded a promotion for his hard work and dedication.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And deservedly so.

The New York Times

The appearance of the Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, on last week's UK-wide televised leaders' debate, where she deservedly won applause for a doughty duffing of Nigel Farage, should not be allowed to mislead either.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's deservedly popular (Moorish and moreish), so book well in advance.

The Guardian - Travel

Think of your damehood less as a compromise, then, and more in the language of the repulsive prime location ad: "This is your trophy... this is your reward and deservedly so".

The Guardian - Opinion

Iran can be criticised vigorously – and deservedly so – but in terms of translating archaic religious ideas into government policies, our friends in Saudi Arabia are at least as bad.

The Guardian - Opinion

They equalised within two minutes, though, with Scott Crabbe capitalising on poor United defending, and although Craig Easton put them behind again, Pat McGinlay deservedly steered Ayr to a replay 16 minutes from the end with an excellent header from a corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Inverness followed up their win at Hamilton last Saturday by deservedly defeating a poor Motherwell team 2-0 at Fir Park to go top of the Scottish Premiership table.

The Guardian - Sport

England will deservedly line up at the Gabba as favourites to retain the urn.

The Guardian - Sport

There's a lovely, logical route along the coast, heading south from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (erstwhile home of Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan, and a gateway to the new world in the early 16th century) through the city of Cádiz, to the deservedly touristy Vejer de la Frontera, and the unspoiled beaches of Zahora, Zahara, Bolonia and Valdevaqueros, before ending up in Tarifa.

The Guardian - Travel

DJ Fett Burger, co-founder of cult disco-not-disco label Sex Tags Mania, is hardly a new kid on the block, but his output has developed a deservedly cultish following in the past few years, with each weirder and groovier release disappearing from record stores at a rapid rate.

The Guardian - Music

iPhone / iPad Papers, Please (£3.99) This "dystopian document thriller" has won sacks of awards, and deservedly so: it's bleak but thought-provoking, as you play a border inspector for the fictional state of Arstozka, letting immigrants in or turning them away according to your orders from above.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deservedly" to clearly indicate that a positive or negative outcome is a direct result of someone's actions or qualities. Ensure the context makes it clear why the outcome is merited.

Common error

Avoid using "deservedly" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral or objective tone is preferred. Opt for alternatives like "justifiably" or rephrase to avoid the implication of personal judgment.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "deservedly" modifies a verb or adjective, indicating that an action or state is warranted or justified. Ludwig examples show it emphasizing the fairness or appropriateness of an outcome, reflecting a judgment based on prior actions or qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deservedly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb indicating that something is merited or justified, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, signifying that an outcome is fair based on previous actions. Alternatives like "justifiably" or "rightfully" can be used to convey similar meanings, while being careful not to overuse it in overly formal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and wide applicability in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiably

Implies a stronger sense of justification based on fairness or legal correctness.

rightfully

Suggests a moral or legal entitlement to something.

appropriately

Focuses on the suitability or fitness of a response or action.

fairly

Emphasizes impartiality and justice in the outcome.

with good reason

Highlights the presence of a valid and logical basis.

with justification

Stresses the existence of a defensible rationale.

as is fitting

Implies the outcome is in accordance with what is proper or suitable.

by right

Suggests a claim or entitlement that cannot be denied.

in all fairness

Introduces a statement acknowledging the fairness of a situation.

on merit

Emphasizes that success or reward is based on quality and skill.

FAQs

How to use "deservedly" in a sentence?

Use "deservedly" to indicate that someone or something receives what they merit due to their actions or qualities. For example, "She was "deservedly praised" for her contributions to the project."

What can I say instead of "deservedly"?

You can use alternatives like "justifiably", "rightfully", or "appropriately" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "deservedly so" or "deserved so"?

"Deservedly so" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Deserved so" is grammatically incorrect. For example, "He won the award and "deservedly so"."

What's the difference between "deservedly" and "fortuitously"?

"Deservedly" implies that something is earned or merited, while "fortuitously" means something happens by chance or luck. These words have opposite meanings.