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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Recent Examples of merited
Chris Johnston, New York Times, 6 June 2026
The district was created after the 2020 census revealed that population growth in Colorado merited adding an additional representative from the state to the congressional delegation in Washington.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Cleon Williams’ attorney, Phillip Arroyo, argued in court filings that ICE’s delay in transferring Williams from the Orange County Jail following his May 9 arrest was unlawful and merited immediate release.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Getty Images For much of FIFA’s 2026 World Cup ticket price rollout, there was skepticism that market demand truly merited unprecedentedly high ticket prices.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Busby’s defense attorneys, Jack Strickland and Steve Gordon, argued that Busby’s poor upbringing, low IQ, learning disabilities and chronic drug and alcohol use merited a life sentence.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
But for the most part, its success this decade has been merited on a creative level, too.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
While no award was given for Loudest Constantly Yammering Audience at Any Awards Show Anywhere Ever, Wednesday’s sold out crowd of 1,350 certainly merited strong consideration for such a dubious distinction.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2026
When that wanes, then such debate certainly would be merited.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Walkom told a pool reporter that the video review didn’t show anything that merited reversing the call.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 6 June 2026
The district was created after the 2020 census revealed that population growth in Colorado merited adding an additional representative from the state to the congressional delegation in Washington.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Cleon Williams’ attorney, Phillip Arroyo, argued in court filings that ICE’s delay in transferring Williams from the Orange County Jail following his May 9 arrest was unlawful and merited immediate release.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Getty Images For much of FIFA’s 2026 World Cup ticket price rollout, there was skepticism that market demand truly merited unprecedentedly high ticket prices.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Busby’s defense attorneys, Jack Strickland and Steve Gordon, argued that Busby’s poor upbringing, low IQ, learning disabilities and chronic drug and alcohol use merited a life sentence.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
But for the most part, its success this decade has been merited on a creative level, too.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
While no award was given for Loudest Constantly Yammering Audience at Any Awards Show Anywhere Ever, Wednesday’s sold out crowd of 1,350 certainly merited strong consideration for such a dubious distinction.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2026
When that wanes, then such debate certainly would be merited.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merited
Adjective
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Her new friends include Sam (Bianca Dumais), a rock-chick type who’s the same age as Franny and who has developed a reputation for promiscuity around town that doesn’t seem deserved.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
25 May 2026
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Trai Hume gives Sunderland the lead against Chelsea Sunderland dominate the first quarter of this match and take a deserved lead in the 25th minute via Trai Hume.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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While many agree that the bombing of Hiroshima was justified, there was no public outcry of genocide when the bomb fell on Nagasaki.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
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There is a lot of excitement around AI in energy and some of it is justified.—
Gregory Shahnovsky,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merited. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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