as in deserved
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
the punishment, although harsh, was entirely merited
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of merited
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
But in the case of Madelaine Petsch’s The Strangers trilogy, her executive producer title is well-merited.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
That really merited going from hit iconic artists with catalogs to brand-new artists.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
To accomplish the latter, first-year Saints coach Kellen Moore, a former Boise State quarterback, must show that the step up from offensive coordinator with the Super Bowl champion Eagles was merited.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
The request comes amid competing claims and concerns that Dallas acted in a way that merited punishment.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This hurricane season isn’t the first time the region has merited close attention from the National Hurricane Center, said Dan Brown, branch chief of the center's hurricane specialists.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the middle innings, the spotlight centered on Jacob Misiorowski, the 6-foot-7 rookie right-hander who merited an invitation to the All-Star Game this summer after only five starts.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
But in the case of Madelaine Petsch’s The Strangers trilogy, her executive producer title is well-merited.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
That really merited going from hit iconic artists with catalogs to brand-new artists.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
To accomplish the latter, first-year Saints coach Kellen Moore, a former Boise State quarterback, must show that the step up from offensive coordinator with the Super Bowl champion Eagles was merited.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
The request comes amid competing claims and concerns that Dallas acted in a way that merited punishment.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This hurricane season isn’t the first time the region has merited close attention from the National Hurricane Center, said Dan Brown, branch chief of the center's hurricane specialists.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merited
Adjective
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And for all the deserved accolades to European captain Luke Donald, such a man exists on that side.—
Hugh Kellenberger,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Forecasting the Field Again, Thomas’ potential and deserved win is not for a lack of real competition.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For much of the last decade, the Mets’ amorphous but always restricted budget drew the justified ire of their fan base.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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And that then links to their view of what they’re justified doing in response to the grievances.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merited. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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