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"deserving" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often worthy (6 letters).
Definitions
(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way
Used in a sentence
“the deserving poor”
“In the midst of a world war many centenaries pass unnoticed, but one which fell on August 2, namely, the opening of Fenchurch Street station, is deserving of record.”
“I here understand that value which every man puts upon his own deservings from the publick”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer1 curated clues
01“Worthy”9 letters
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