as in distinctions
a quality that gives something special worth
this mystery novel at least has the merit of an original plot
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Recent Examples of merits
James Mirtle, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Whatever one thinks of the merits of canceling student debt, the paper suggests, the cost of promising it and then failing to deliver may rival the cost of the policy itself.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 17 June 2026
Only a quarter of complaints in 2023 were actually denied, meaning prison officials evaluated the content of the requests and refused them based on their merits.
—Christie Thompson, NPR, 17 June 2026
Drawbacks of private student loans While private loans have their merits, Mayotte urges her clients to avoid them if possible.
—Evan Zimmer, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Over the years, Stuart’s many merits have been recognized by publications; most recently it was voted as the Best Coastal Small Town in USA Today’s 2024 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Maguire ruled that the defendants and their attorneys cannot make statements outside court hearings about the merits of the case, the arguments or evidence submitted to the court, or the investigation into the explosion.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
But the special is not good or bad on the merits of its subject matter.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 12 June 2026
The American public, however, may hold somewhat different views on the merits of classicism.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Steve Madgwick, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026
The skill for Vinicius Junior’s equaliser in that match, a brutally efficient display of finishing, also merits a mention, as does Nestory Irankunda’s incredible pace to score Australia’s opener against Turkey.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 15 June 2026
Peaches and blueberries spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar marry underneath pillowy pastry to create a dessert that merits your heartiest scoop of vanilla ice cream.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Communicate Feedback Fairly This directive is emotionally and ethically adjacent to the previous one but merits its own category.
—Bruce Weinstein, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Instead, it’s meant to showcase the power of Higgsfield’s technology, CEO Alex Mashrabov told me, not necessarily one of quality, and in that regard, the film merits recognition.
—Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 June 2026
Cousins thinks that still-prevalent bias merits rethinking.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 May 2026
At the New Mexico resort nestled in the southernmost Rockies, though, the trail merits only a single black diamond.
—Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 7 May 2026
While the char siu and pork belly draw plenty of attention — as well as regular lines out the door — her panang curry merits equal regard.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Noun
Larry Robinson, who won a Cup as the New Jersey Devils’ coach in 2000, did so after already entering the Hall for his merits as a world-class defenseman.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Whatever one thinks of the merits of canceling student debt, the paper suggests, the cost of promising it and then failing to deliver may rival the cost of the policy itself.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 17 June 2026
Only a quarter of complaints in 2023 were actually denied, meaning prison officials evaluated the content of the requests and refused them based on their merits.
—Christie Thompson, NPR, 17 June 2026
Drawbacks of private student loans While private loans have their merits, Mayotte urges her clients to avoid them if possible.
—Evan Zimmer, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Over the years, Stuart’s many merits have been recognized by publications; most recently it was voted as the Best Coastal Small Town in USA Today’s 2024 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Maguire ruled that the defendants and their attorneys cannot make statements outside court hearings about the merits of the case, the arguments or evidence submitted to the court, or the investigation into the explosion.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
But the special is not good or bad on the merits of its subject matter.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 12 June 2026
The American public, however, may hold somewhat different views on the merits of classicism.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Verb
The Central Hotel Queenstown also merits a mention, despite not quite being as central as the name suggests.
—Steve Madgwick, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026
The skill for Vinicius Junior’s equaliser in that match, a brutally efficient display of finishing, also merits a mention, as does Nestory Irankunda’s incredible pace to score Australia’s opener against Turkey.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 15 June 2026
Peaches and blueberries spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar marry underneath pillowy pastry to create a dessert that merits your heartiest scoop of vanilla ice cream.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Communicate Feedback Fairly This directive is emotionally and ethically adjacent to the previous one but merits its own category.
—Bruce Weinstein, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Instead, it’s meant to showcase the power of Higgsfield’s technology, CEO Alex Mashrabov told me, not necessarily one of quality, and in that regard, the film merits recognition.
—Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 June 2026
Cousins thinks that still-prevalent bias merits rethinking.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 May 2026
At the New Mexico resort nestled in the southernmost Rockies, though, the trail merits only a single black diamond.
—Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 7 May 2026
While the char siu and pork belly draw plenty of attention — as well as regular lines out the door — her panang curry merits equal regard.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merits
Noun
-
In that imperative, distinctions between mediums and genres blur as we are pressured to translate our cultural production into that form of direct address.—
Shanti Escalante-De Mattei,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
-
Yet when the judging concluded, mezcal claimed every single one of the competition's highest distinctions.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The real issue isn't the methods themselves, but their failure to address the fundamental question of what truly deserves time on one's calendar.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
The home’s professional landscaping also deserves mention.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
There was nothing remotely polarizing in a gig that everything to do with classic virtues.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
Rather than maintaining aristocratic distance, Nero linked his public image to the virtues and popularity of spectacle.—
Scott Atran,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Luteal-phase fatigue and food cravings have clear physiological explanations and follicular-phase cognitive advantages have emerging support.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
-
Competitive advantages and moats.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Clemens concluded by addressing the friction between league initiatives and the personal values of the players on the field.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
-
Falling property values are not only a worry for property owners but for towns and cities that base local tax collections on those values.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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