plural merits
1
: a good quality or feature that deserves to be praised
The great merit [=advantage, strength] of this plan is its simplicity.
—usually pluralThe plan has many merits.
It's difficult to judge the merits of her proposal.
We were talking about the relative merits of running and walking as kinds of exercise.
The five contestants will be judged on their own merits. [=they will be judged by looking at their skills and their good and bad qualities]
We should consider each idea on its merits. [=we should consider the good and bad things about each idea]
2
formal
: the quality of being good, important, or useful : value or worth
His ideas have (some) merit.
She saw merit in both of the arguments.
Their idea is without merit. = Their idea has no merit.
The study has no scientific merit.
Hiring decisions are based entirely on merit. [=people are hired because they have the skills to do the job well]
merits; merited; meriting
: to deserve (something, such as attention or good treatment) by being important or good
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.
Cite this Entry
“Merit.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/merit. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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