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

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