Deserved (5)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">deserved</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('merit' can be a synonym of 'deserve')</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for merited that I've seen before include "Properly earned or deserved" , "Deresved" , "appropriate" , "Was worthy" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">deserved</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for earned that I've seen before include "Got from paid employment merited" , "Obtained through work" , "Gained by labour" , "Merited through work" , "Gained by working" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">deserved</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('rate' can be a synonym of 'deserve')</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for rated that I've seen before include "Castigated" , "Reckoned" , "Assessed in trade" , "Was worthy of" , "Admired" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">deserved</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for well-earned that I've seen before include "Thoroughly deserved" , "Justified" .)