merit

1 of 2

noun

mer·​it ˈmer-ət 

ˈme-rət

plural merits

1

a

: a praiseworthy quality : virtue

But originality, as it is one of the highest, is also one of the rarest, of merits.

—Edgar Allan Poe

b

: character or conduct deserving reward, honor, or esteem

also : achievement

… he composed a number of works of merit.

—H. E. Starr

c

: a person's qualities, actions, etc. regarded as indicating what the person deserves to receive

Opinions of his merit vary.

Admissions officers judge one's merit by looking at one's past accomplishments and circumstances. But merit is not just about one's past—it is about one's future potential.

—Michelle I. Gao

d

obsolete : reward or punishment due

2

a

merits plural : the substance of a legal case apart from matters of jurisdiction, procedure, or form

The plaintiff … is entitled to have its claim decided here on its merits.

—T. M. Maddes

b

: individual significance or justification (see justification sense 1)

The contention is without merit.

—E. B. Denny

3

: spiritual credit held to be earned by performance of righteous acts and to ensure future benefits

… the Crusades … did serve the desire to gain spiritual merit …

—Jacques Barzun

meritless

ˈmer-ət-ləs 

ˈme-rət-

adjective

merit

2 of 2

verb

merited; meriting; merits

transitive verb

: to be worthy of or entitled or liable to : earn

intransitive verb

1

: deserve

2

obsolete : to be entitled to reward or honor

Synonyms

Noun

• cardinal virtue
• distinction
• excellence
• excellency
• grace
• value
• virtue

Verb

• deserve
• earn
• rate

Examples of merit in a Sentence

Noun

She saw merit in both of the arguments.

The study has no scientific merit.

Verb

Both ideas merit further consideration.

These issues merit special attention.

His good work merits a raise.

She did well enough to merit a second interview.

The attention she received was not merited.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And in 2024, Democrats paid a hefty price for choosing a candidate based on identity rather than merit. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

While there's probably merit in some of these, my analyses suggest that one of the biggest factors behind Trump's growing support from nonwhite voters may be opposition to immigration. —Michael Tesler, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

The news on Monday that Special Counsel Jack Smith was dropping both of his federal cases against Trump merited little more than a shrug. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 26 Nov. 2024

There’s no injustice in relief pitchers failing to merit a place at the top — or anywhere, really — on Cy Young ballots. —Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French merite, from Latin meritum, from neuter of meritus, past participle of merēre to deserve, earn; akin to Greek meiresthai to receive as one's portion, meros part

Verb

Middle French meriter, from merite merit entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

1526, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing merit

• figure of merit
• merit system
• on merit

Kids Definition

merit

1 of 2 noun

mer·​it ˈmer-ət 

1

: the qualities or actions that determine one's worthiness of reward or punishment

were rewarded according to merit

2

: a quality worthy of praise : virtue

the merit of honesty

3

: worth entry 2 sense 2, value

your idea has great merit

4

: individual significance or justification

the accusation is without merit

meritless adjective

merit

2 of 2 verb

: to earn by service or performance : deserve

Legal Definition

merit

noun

mer·​it ˈmer-ət 

1

plural : the substance of a case apart from matters of jurisdiction, procedure, or form

a ruling on the merits of the case

see also judgment on the merits at judgment sense 1a

2

: legal significance, standing, or worth

an argument without merit