1
as in distinction
a quality that gives something special worth
this mystery novel at least has the merit of an original plot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in value
the relative usefulness or importance of something as judged by specific qualities
that idea has some merit, so let's explore it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of merit
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2025
The court, which split on the merits of the lawsuit and Engoron’s fraud finding, dismissed the penalty in its entirety while also leaving a pathway for an appeal to the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2025
The three other deaths did not even merit a mention.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merit
Noun
Although the network and legal experts said that the lawsuit was without merit, Paramount settled for $16 million.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2025
The court, which split on the merits of the lawsuit and Engoron’s fraud finding, dismissed the penalty in its entirety while also leaving a pathway for an appeal to the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
Step 1: Take inventory of small leftover ingredients in your fridge that don’t merit a whole dish on their own.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2025
The three other deaths did not even merit a mention.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merit
Noun
-
That distinction still belongs to B-Sides & Rarities, which only spent a single turn in absolute last place, at No. 100, in November 2005.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
In visceral and unrelenting prose, the novel troubles the easy distinctions between victim and perpetrator.—
Katie Kitamura
August 21,
Literary Hub,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
While vehicle theft claims don’t distinguish between full vehicle versus partial theft, the report's methodology considered the monetary value lost as result of the theft.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
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The Detroit native’s willingness to collaborate with the popular skincare brand was directly tied to his wife’s affinity for the brand as well as its alignment with his own values.—
Kenneth J. Williams Jr,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But let someone else be educator in chief and focus on other things people deserve, which is reading, literacy and wraparound services – and actual teachers who want to be in Oklahoma.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Tesla might be the poster child of the electric vehicle revolution, but the Nissan Leaf deserves equal credit for making EVs viable as everyday cars.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Do rules reflect actual AI usage patterns among teens? Equity Access: Can all students access the same AI tools, or do policies create advantages for families with premium subscriptions?—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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Injuries prompted the 49ers to start a patchwork defensive front, and Geno Smith took advantage from the jump with a play-action pass that found Brock Bowers for a 28-yard gain down the right sideline against safety Ji’Ayir Brown.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Upon accepting that award, Dobson stressed the importance of voters passing conservative ideology to the next generation, according to the Christian Post.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Frazier, who was a key part of the 2024 club, knows the importance of playing winning baseball.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And both the book and the film offered historically nonsensical versions of the Klan as an honorable and chivalrous group fighting for social justice and the virtue of white womanhood.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
15 Aug. 2025
-
That might sound sadistic; indeed, sadism is something of a Hitchcockian virtue.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Just like in Formula One, great product teams know how to assemble excellence from across an ecosystem and focus their in-house muscle on what really moves the needle.—
Sal Rehmetullah,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Luke and his unit were honored with a challenge coin symbolizing leadership, excellence and service.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merit. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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