Synonyms of merited

merited 1 of 2

adjective

as in deserved

being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong

the punishment, although harsh, was entirely merited

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deserved
• justified
• due
• warranted
• competent
• rightful
• suitable
• appropriate
• proper
• condign
• legal
• fair
• legitimate
• just
• right
• fitting
• meet
• requisite
• applicable
• strict
• apt
• lawful
• correct
• accurate
• equitable
• fit
• true
• stringent
• impartial
• uncompromising
• square
• rhadamanthine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfair
• undue
• unwarranted
• unjust
• undeserved
• unjustified
• irrelevant
• improper
• unreasonable
• unmerited
• inappropriate
• incorrect
• partial
• unsuitable
• unjustifiable
• inapplicable
• incoherent
• unequal
• indefensible
• biased
• arbitrary
• inequitable
• unlawful
• irrelative
• inapt
• despotic
• illegitimate
• inapposite

merited

2 of 2

verb

past tense of merit

as in earned

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

• deserved
• earned
• entitled
• rated
• qualified

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of merited

Verb

Even when examining a juror’s conduct is merited, Professor Braccia says, those legal procedural questions shouldn’t undermine the concept of juror independence. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026

Some critics of the budget cuts argue that the bar may be high but merited, given what the museum has to offer Brussels in terms of art, direct and indirect employment, and revitalizing the surrounding, low-income neighborhood. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

His handicapping merited attention and newsletter sales, but Steele soon tired of tipping his own hand to the oddsmakers in Vegas. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

But for other council members, the distinction speakers drew between synthetic and non-synthetic kratom products merited more information before making a final decision. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

City won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup last season, but Gvardiol’s standards had led him to wonder whether, in normal circumstances, those celebrations would have been merited without a Premier League or Champions League. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

The evaluator concluded the elder Henrichsen likely merited a diagnosis of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

The Dodgers have two avenues to subtly ease Wrobleski’s workload, when merited, through number of starts and through pitches within a start. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

For this to happen, obesity must have been assumed to be a disease that had risk of significant complications that merited surgical intervention. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026