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worthy

worthy

461 2.8
Deserving respect because of good or honest qualities
  • adjective
  • /ˈwɜrði/
: digno
  • She worked hard to prove she was worthy of the scholarship.
  • worthy of respect
  • worthy of consideration
  • deem worthy

That's how you show you're worthy of forgiveness.

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Examples

Synonyms

noble
vsworthy
318 3.6

Having high moral qualities and kind intentions

is broader, applying to many kinds of value and selection
honorable
vsworthy
  • US
244 3.7

A person who behaves in a morally good way and deserves respect

is more general, covering value, merit, and selection as well
admirable
vsworthy
85 3.3

Having good qualities that make people respect you

is broader, including being chosen or valued beyond admiration
deserving
vsworthy
79 3.5

Worthy of help, praise, or punishment

focuses more on general respect, attention, or being chosen
commendable
vsworthy
26 4.6

Worth praising because it is good or done well

extends beyond praise to merit respect and selection
laudable
vsworthy
  • Formal
11 7.2

Worthy of praise for doing something good

has a wider sense that also includes being valued or chosen
meritorious
vsworthy
8 7.5

Worthy of praise or reward for good work

is less about reward and more about general honor and value
noble-minded
vsworthy
6 6.6

A person who cares very strongly about what is right and fair

is less specific about ideals and more about general merit
praiseworthy
vsworthy
4 4.5

Deserving approval or admiration

covers respect and selection as well as receiving praise
treasurable
vsworthy
1 6.3

Very valuable and loved because it has personal meaning

focuses more on being respected or chosen for merit rather than cherished
meritable
vsworthy
1 7.7

Worthy of praise or reward

emphasizes respect and selection rather than only receiving reward
accreditable
vsworthy
6.8

Deserving praise or approval for doing something good

is broader, adding value and choice beyond mere recognition

Antonyms

43 4.5

Does not deserve respect or help

10 5.5

Not worthy of help, reward, or kindness

unworthy
  • Offensive
7 5.4

Deserves strong blame or dislike

Compounds

cringe-worthy
  • Informal
4 7.3

Making you feel embarrassed or awkward

How Worthy

honorable
  • US
244 3.7
admirable
85 3.3
worthy
461 2.8
respectable
125 3.0
unworthy
  • Offensive
7 5.4

Surface Forms

worthy positive
worthier comparative
worthiest superlative

Morphology

worthy = worth (transparent) = worth + y

The adjective is directly formed by adding the productive suffix '-y' to 'worth', yielding 'having value or merit'.

Etymology

Worthy comes from an old word worth that meant 'value' or 'importance', so to be worthy is to be 'full of value' and to deserve respect or attention.