merit 1 of 2

noun

ˈmer-ət How to pronounce merit (audio)
Definition of meritnext
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

merit

2 of 2

verb

as in to deserve
to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) that selfless act of heroism merited a public ceremony to honor the young swimmer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of merit
Noun
Those jurisdictional questions look to set up a pretty intricate set of arguments before the judge gets to the merits of the case. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 Even the Genius Act’s prohibition on direct interest payments was based more on myth than merit. — Omid Malekan, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
Professor Mulligan, who also served as director of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office during the Biden administration, says the disappearance merits congressional scrutiny. — Aaron Glantz, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026 Before Crandall, severe cases would simply merit a closed casket; after him, virtually no corpse was too damaged to escape a mortician’s care. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for merit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merit
  1. distinction
  2. value
  3. deserve
  4. advantage
  5. importance
  6. virtue
  7. excellence
Noun
  • If consumers are inclined to believe a company behaved badly, the distinction between firing and non-renewal disappears.
    — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That distinction is what policy is for — and what the AI copyright debate still too often misses.
    — David Woodard, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • The latter goal is in line with the growing African movement to reduce raw minerals exports in favor of local value addition.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit joins a broader debate on the value of wearable devices to track human health.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of value
Verb
  • The pastry chef deserves a special shout-out, too, not least for the doorstop wedge of baklava in Kafeneo.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Unusual circumstances can expand our understanding of an artist, raising legitimate questions and illuminating aspects of a career that deserves serious consideration.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of deserve
Noun
  • The Democrat leads Republican challenger Mike Collins in every major public poll, holds a massive fundraising advantage and is now trying to peel away GOP voters.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called out his struggling club after a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday cost them a significant tiebreaker in the race for home-field advantage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • Hispanic and African American households also collectively drive more than a third (36 percent) of TikTok Shop’s beauty spending — which highlights the importance of diverse products and paying attention to a range of multicultural audiences.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The district set its screen time use targets for elementary and middle school students, but did not set a target for high school students, noting the importance of digital literacy skills as students prepare for college or careers.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of importance
Noun
  • Today, young people are increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of politicians lecturing them about the virtues of voting while in practice facilitating disengagement.
    — David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Just as uniformity is a virtue of a product, so uniqueness is a virtue of a service.
    — Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • University of Michigan Director of Athletics Warde Manuel described the program as the next step in Michigan Athletics' proud tradition of excellence.
    — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Michigan fans will be happy in 2026 if Underwood learns and improves from a predictably uneven freshman season, and if Whittingham brings the maturity and excellence that has marked his coaching career.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellence

Browse Nearby Words

meridians
merit
merited
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Merit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merit. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on merit

Nglish: Translation of merit for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All