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
Edgar Allan Poe
b
: character or conduct deserving reward, honor, or esteem
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
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
T. M. Maddes
b
: individual significance or justification (see justification sense 1)
The contention is without merit.—E. B. Denny
E. B. Denny3
: 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
Jacques BarzunExamples 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
Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2025
The Court should exercise its discretion to exclude the evidence set forth to avoid unfair character assassination and to ensure a fair trial on the merits.
—ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
From our review: My frustration stems from my feeling, merited or otherwise, that this movie is a grab for potential patrons’ pockets.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merit
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Noun
The judge said Cristian and anyone else covered by the settlement must be returned to the U.S. to await a decision on the merits of their asylum applications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2025
The Court should exercise its discretion to exclude the evidence set forth to avoid unfair character assassination and to ensure a fair trial on the merits.
—ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
Commentators questioned whether celebrity space tourism merits the language of social progress and many questioned why this mission and specifically why now.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
From our review: My frustration stems from my feeling, merited or otherwise, that this movie is a grab for potential patrons’ pockets.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merit
Cite this Entry
“Merit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merit. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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