1
as in worthy
deserving of high regard or great approval
worked all night with meritorious determination to get the project done on time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in good
having sufficient worth or merit to receive one's honor, esteem, or reward
all agreed that the most meritorious science project had won the competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of meritorious
MacVean, who lived in Point Loma for nearly 50 years, was lauded for his work, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal on two occasions for meritorious service.
—
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
The Medal of Freedom, established in 1963, is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public endeavors.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
While there’s no question that alleviating poverty is a meritorious pursuit, so too is funding the discovery of a technology that allows millions to live more comfortably 20 years from now.
—Omar Al-Ubaydli, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
Essentially, their votes and their objections, no matter how vociferous or meritorious, did not matter.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for meritorious
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
The Medal of Freedom, established in 1963, is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public endeavors.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
While there’s no question that alleviating poverty is a meritorious pursuit, so too is funding the discovery of a technology that allows millions to live more comfortably 20 years from now.
—Omar Al-Ubaydli, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
Essentially, their votes and their objections, no matter how vociferous or meritorious, did not matter.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for meritorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meritorious
Adjective
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Standing in an envy-worthy walk-in closet completely makeup-free, the Emma actress modeled a series of wardrobe staples, including a black bomber jacket, a gray wool peacoat, a leather funnel neck jacket, and a plunging V-neck cardigan.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
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It should be mentioned that several book erasures have occurred in US publishing in recent years when a particular volume was deemed censorship-worthy not by the vigilantly value-defensive right but the vigilantly value-defensive left.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Some of the city’s best restaurants and bars are both uptown and walkable, including breakfast juggernaut Cheeky’s and its adjacent pizza-pasta-patio hotspot Birba, farm-to-table fave Workshop, and cool cocktail den Tailor Shop.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Whichever silhouette you’re drawn to, their popularity lies in their chameleonic quality to look good with both neutrals, from white to black to shades of gray, and trending seasonal shades, like red and cobalt blue.—
Lucrezia Malavolta,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There’s also bubbles (the champagne by the glass selection is excellent) and raclette cart service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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The regular season is different from the playoffs, but surely Detroit is champing at the bit to get a rematch of last year’s excellent first-round matchup with the Knicks this postseason.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Tottenham arrives like a blur, game five of an eight-game stint, seven of which are away from home, around 9,300 miles of travelling crammed into 25 days beginning with their admirable 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain on January 28.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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In the spirit of progress and collaboration embodied by Moore’s admirable initiative to uplift men and boys, Maryland can also lead the charge in helping to reshape the landscape of women’s health.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Our movement just never had that deep sense of moral purpose that made people feel like, O.K., these people are praiseworthy people.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2026
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There are praiseworthy advocates and organizations for improving central city neighborhoods.—
Alan J. Borsuk,
jsonline.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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These changes include laudable protections for tenants, but the economic effects are more uncertain.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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Consumer empowerment is a laudable aim, but in complex clinical decisions, empowerment without expertise can lead to fragmentation, risk and inefficiency.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Polestar’s willingness to deviate from the status quo of carmaking was commendable, but its strategies have been puzzling since the very beginning.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
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The only problem is the Heat are a commendable but unsteady evangelist for trying to win every night out.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But in the second half, when Romero had gone off and Spurs had moved to a back four, Dragusin looked more comfortable, physically standing up to Erling Haaland as Spurs rescued a very creditable point.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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And Romesh Ranganathan makes a creditable West End debut as the doctor who lives next door.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meritorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meritorious. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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