1
as in worthy
deserving of high regard or great approval
worked all night with meritorious determination to get the project done on time
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of meritorious
The award would recognize those nominated for bravery or meritorious awards under the existing Australian Honors and Awards system for their actions during and after the attack, according to The Associated Press.
—
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
No meritorious credit will be granted.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for meritorious
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
No meritorious credit will be granted.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for meritorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meritorious
Adjective
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Picture an army of worthy USTR officials solemnly poring over Bangladesh’s structural overcapacity in manufacturing with all the seriousness of purpose that the exercise demands.—
Mihir Sharma,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
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For Florida, when a potentially challenge-worthy play unfolds on the court all eyes turn to Crist.—
Maura Carey,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Another newcomer, closer Pete Fairbanks, the Marlins’ $13 million free-agent splurge, finished the game in good fashion.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
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A level head will be your best asset.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Horned Frogs had a mix of air raid and veer-and-shoot principles under Briles, but are expected to move more to a pro-style scheme under Sammis, who had excellent success with that style of offense at UConn.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
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In the pre-show rooms, both real-life actors seen were excellent at interacting with real-life visitors and prerecorded monotone movie stars.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Cure, which opened in 2009, is both record-keeper and innovator, an admirable endeavor in a city that is the birthplace of the cocktail.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Absurdly funny and grounded by two appealing stars (even if their characters are less than admirable) the show is a surprising delight.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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From praiseworthy to problematic Mexico's vaccination system was once the envy of health policymakers in Latin America.—
Katie Silver,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
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Such numbers are praiseworthy but could also distort competitive balance in domestic leagues.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Iran, a war targeting regime change and the destruction of its nuclear capacities — laudable goals — also has the suspicious taint of being all about oil.—
Markos Kounalakis,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
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All in all, the standards would require a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, a laudable goal.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In the context of 1-on-1 defense against a superstar, Jones’ effort was commendable on both plays.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
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If the Raptors had their typical shooting night Friday, the commendable effort would have yielded another loss.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 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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In response, the Department of Homeland Security released a statement that the ICE officer suffered internal bleeding after being struck by Goode’s vehicle, even though creditable, on-the-scene video evidence to support such claims has yet to be released.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meritorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meritorious. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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