figurative. intransitive. With adverb or adverbial phrase as complement: to deserve (what is expressed by the complement). Obsolete.

absol. or intransitive. To be so entitled; to have just claims for reward or punishment; to merit, be worthy. Often in to deserve illor well of.

To earn or become worthy of reward, punishment, etc.; to secure a right to something by service or actions. intransitive. Cf. deserve, v. 3a.

To deserve or be entitled to something; to be or to have become worthy to have praise or blame… intransitive. Cf. deserve, v. 3b.

intransitive. To be deserving of good or evil; = deserve, v. 3b. Frequently in to merit well (of a person). Obsolete (archaic in later use).

intransitive and transitive. To merit or earn (something) in common.