merit

1 of 2

noun

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 adjective

merit

2 of 2

verb

merited; meriting; merits

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1
2
obsolete : to be entitled to reward or honor

Examples of merit in a Sentence

Noun She saw merit in both of the arguments. The study has no scientific merit. Verb
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Should Liman rule in the plaintiffs’ favor, congestion pricing will be paused pending a trial on the legal challenge’s merits. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 21 Dec. 2024 Hillwood Development Director Paul Reinke raised four main merits to the industrial park plan. Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
Aren’t there too many glamour shots of blond actresses whose characters never merit the devotion? Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024 Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami’s Cam Ward also garnered enough attention from voters to merit a trip to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for merit 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of merit was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near merit

Cite this Entry

“Merit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merit. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

merit

1 of 2 noun
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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on merit

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