Deserve vs. Earn: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Deserve" refers to meriting something based on one's qualities or actions, while "earn" involves receiving something in return for labor or service.
Key Differences
Deserve implies a sense of entitlement due to one's qualities or actions, suggesting moral or ethical justification. Earn, on the other hand, is about receiving a return or reward for one's efforts or labor, emphasizing a direct link between action and compensation.
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Nov 21, 2023
In the realm of morality, to deserve is to be worthy of something, often based on character or conduct. Earn is more transactional, focusing on the acquisition of rewards or results through work or effort.
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Deserve often carries a subjective element, where the worthiness for a reward or outcome can vary based on perspective. Earn is more objective, typically involving measurable work or achievements that justify a reward.
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While deserve can exist without any physical effort, often being related to intangible qualities like honor or respect, earn always involves some form of action or labor leading to a tangible or quantifiable outcome.
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In everyday usage, deserve often conveys a sense of justice or fairness in receiving something, while earn conveys a sense of accomplishment and the fulfillment of a requirement or condition.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Required Action
Not necessarily requiring action
Requires specific action or labor
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Context
Often used in moral or ethical discussions
Common in economic or labor contexts
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Outcome Relationship
May not be directly linked to an action
Directly linked to the action performed
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Deserve and Earn Definitions
Deserve
Being worthy of something as a right.
They deserve respect for their hard work.
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Earn
To gain something as a result of effort or hard work.
He earned his place in the team through dedication.
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Deserve
Earning a future reward based on past actions.
You deserve a break after all that studying.
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Earn
To receive payment or reward for work or services.
She earns a living through writing.
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Deserve
Having a valid claim to something due to fairness or justice.
The team deserves recognition for their dedication.
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Earn
Acquiring through merit or action.
They earned respect for their honesty.
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Deserve
To be worthy of; merit
She deserves a raise. He deserves to be treated with respect.
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Earn
To achieve something through effort.
She earned a promotion by consistently exceeding goals.
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Deserve
(transitive) To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.
After playing so well, the team really deserved their win.
After what he did, he deserved to go to prison.
This argument deserves a closer examination.
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Earn
To accumulate or gain as a result of investment or action.
He earned interest on his savings.
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Earn
To gain especially for the performance of service, labor, or work
Earned money by mowing lawns.
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Earn
To acquire or deserve as a result of effort or action
She earned a reputation as a hard worker.
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Earn
To yield as return or profit
A savings account that earns interest on deposited funds.
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Deserve
To earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either good or evil); to merit; to be entitled to; as, the laborer deserves his wages; a work of value deserves praise.
God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
John Gay deserved to be a favorite.
Encouragement is not held out to things that deserve reprehension.
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Earn
(transitive) To gain (success, reward, recognition) through applied effort or work.
You can have the s'mores: you earned them, clearing the walkway of snow so well.
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Earn
(transitive) To receive payment for work.
He earns seven million dollars a year as CEO.
My bank account is only earning one percent interest.
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Deserve
To be worthy of recompense; - usually with ill or with well.
One man may merit or deserve of another.
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Earn
(intransitive) To receive payment for work.
Now that you are earning, you can start paying me rent.
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Deserve
Be worthy or deserving;
You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done
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Earn
(transitive) To cause (someone) to receive payment or reward.
My CD earns me six percent!
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Deserve
Warranting a certain outcome based on actions or qualities.
He deserves praise for his honesty.
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Earn
(transitive) To achieve by being worthy of.
To earn a spot in the top 20
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Deserve
To merit something due to one's character.
She deserves happiness after all her struggles.
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Earn
To merit or deserve, as by labor or service; to do that which entitles one to (a reward, whether the reward is received or not).
The high reputeWhich he through hazard huge must earn.
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Earn
To acquire by labor, service, or performance; to deserve and receive as compensation or wages; as, to earn a good living; to earn honors or laurels.
I earn that [what] I eat.
The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow.
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Earn
To long; to yearn.
And ever as he rode, his heart did earnTo prove his puissance in battle brave.
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Earn
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can Deserve imply moral entitlement?
Yes, deserve often implies entitlement based on moral or ethical grounds.
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Nov 21, 2023
What is the meaning of Earn?
Earn refers to receiving something in return for labor or service.
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What does Deserve mean?
Deserve means having a right to something because of actions or qualities.
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Can you Earn something unintentionally?
Generally, earning implies a deliberate effort or work.
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What are examples of Deserving respect?
Demonstrating integrity or kindness can make one deserve respect.
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Does Deserve always involve actions?
Often, but it can also be due to inherent qualities or circumstances.
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How does Deserve relate to justice?
Deserve is often used in contexts of fairness or justice.
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Can you Earn something by accident?
Earning usually involves intention and effort, so accidental gains are rare.
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Is Earning always financial?
Not always; one can earn respect, trust, or rewards.
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How do laws determine what is Deserved?
Laws often outline rights and entitlements, influencing what is considered deserved.
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How do people Earn a living?
People earn a living through work or providing services.
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Is Earning always a positive outcome?
Typically, but one can also earn negative consequences.
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How do societal norms affect what is Deserved?
Societal norms can greatly influence perceptions of what is deserved.
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Is Earning limited to individual efforts?
While often individual, earning can also occur in group contexts.
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Can you Earn respect overnight?
Respect is typically earned over time through consistent actions.
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How is Earn used in finance?
In finance, earn refers to making money through investments or work.
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Does Deserve imply effort?
Not necessarily; it can be based on moral rightness or fairness.
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What does it mean to Earn someone's trust?
It means gaining trust through consistent, reliable actions.
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Can someone Deserve something they don't want?
Yes, deserving is not always aligned with personal desires.
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Can Deserve be subjective?
Yes, what one deserves can be viewed differently by different people.
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Nov 21, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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