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

The plan has many merits.

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

Hiring decisions are based on merit.

Contestants are judged on their own merits.

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

We should consider each idea on its merits.

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

Both ideas merit further consideration.

The attention they received was not merited.

intransitive verb

1

: deserve

2

obsolete : to be entitled to reward or honor

Synonyms of merit

Noun

• distinction
• advantage
• value
• virtue
• excellence

Verb

• deserve

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

Though the merits of that case were widely seen as lacking, Paramount opted to pay $16 million to settle it and to bring in someone to serve as an investigator of sorts when claims of CBS News’ reporting lacking neutrality surface. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025

My daughter Celeste earned her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Tulane University, supported by merit scholarships and hard work as a server in a restaurant. —Joyce Marter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Verb

But the proceedings may be slightly different this week, with arguments focused on whether the case merits a full hearing in the future. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025

Adding in his time at Indiana, Curt Cignetti is 137-37 as a head coach, a pattern of sustained success that ought to merit attention. —Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for merit

• buret
• carat
• ferret
• garret
• karat
• parrot
• demerit
• inherit
• preterit
• disinherit

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