Deserve
Part of speech: verb
Definition: To have earned or merited; to be worthy to have. To reward, to give in return for service.
Example sentence: It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
Merit
Part of speech: noun
Definition: Something deserving either good or bad recognition.Something worthy of a high rating.A claim to commendation or reward.The quality of deserving reward.
Part of speech: verb
Definition: To earn or to deserve.To be worthy or deserving.
Example sentence: People that are conceited of their own merit take pride in being unfortunate, that themselves and others may think them considerable enough to be the envy and the mark of fortune.