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
Gregory F. Treverton, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Whatever the merits of requiring voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration and a photo ID at the time of voting, that has nothing to do with issues involving the funding of Department of Homeland Security.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
For now, the Halligan appeal remains the clearest test case, and the administration seems dead-set on appealing it until the Supreme Court decides whether to consider the matter for a merits argument.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Some advocates are worried that tough decisions will have to be made, even if lawmakers agree on the merits of the legislation.
—Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
Like all major sports properties, particularly longer tournaments like the Olympics or World Cup, the NCAA must constantly balance the merits of strictly enforcing its marketing and licensing rules against the possible benefits of allowing more people to promote and spread its IP.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Although the Commission did a U-turn after the parties sweetened the deal, the episode underscored that merger outcomes can bind companies with social taxes that may undermine their commercial merits.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Why convertibles still matter Still, the merits of convertibles outweigh the downsides for a loyal following.
—Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
While the merits of this account type declined a bit in 2024 and 2025 thanks to a series of Fed rate cuts at the end of each of those years, rate cuts are on hold now.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
The undulating glass and steel structure of The National Art Center merits a visit on its own.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
His journey merits its own movie.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
So much merits our contempt, out there and probably in ourselves, too.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Other viewers may be left wondering why all of this merits a full-length movie, or at least one that unconvincingly tries to turn fact into fiction.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Don Juan Moore/Getty Images To get ahead of the issue, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a ban on all drone flights over the Super Bowl, which has been classified by the federal government as a top special event that merits extensive interagency support.
—Anna Schecter, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
For the Sweden Democrats and their coalition, culture, like borders, merits strategic defense.
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
On-the-job safety comes to mind quickly, but consumer product safety merits attention.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
That answer was his quip, but the Deputies Committee provided a forum for arguing about the merits of the case.
—Gregory F. Treverton, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Whatever the merits of requiring voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration and a photo ID at the time of voting, that has nothing to do with issues involving the funding of Department of Homeland Security.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
For now, the Halligan appeal remains the clearest test case, and the administration seems dead-set on appealing it until the Supreme Court decides whether to consider the matter for a merits argument.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Some advocates are worried that tough decisions will have to be made, even if lawmakers agree on the merits of the legislation.
—Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
Like all major sports properties, particularly longer tournaments like the Olympics or World Cup, the NCAA must constantly balance the merits of strictly enforcing its marketing and licensing rules against the possible benefits of allowing more people to promote and spread its IP.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Although the Commission did a U-turn after the parties sweetened the deal, the episode underscored that merger outcomes can bind companies with social taxes that may undermine their commercial merits.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Why convertibles still matter Still, the merits of convertibles outweigh the downsides for a loyal following.
—Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
While the merits of this account type declined a bit in 2024 and 2025 thanks to a series of Fed rate cuts at the end of each of those years, rate cuts are on hold now.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
The 272-page volume lacks an index, but that’s why Steve Jobs invented \⌘ + F; a digital search reveals that George Lucas and his eponymous film studio are name-dropped 31 times, whereas ESPN merits only 17 mentions.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
The undulating glass and steel structure of The National Art Center merits a visit on its own.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
His journey merits its own movie.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
So much merits our contempt, out there and probably in ourselves, too.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Other viewers may be left wondering why all of this merits a full-length movie, or at least one that unconvincingly tries to turn fact into fiction.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Don Juan Moore/Getty Images To get ahead of the issue, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a ban on all drone flights over the Super Bowl, which has been classified by the federal government as a top special event that merits extensive interagency support.
—Anna Schecter, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
For the Sweden Democrats and their coalition, culture, like borders, merits strategic defense.
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
On-the-job safety comes to mind quickly, but consumer product safety merits attention.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merits
Noun
-
Thematically, there are some parallels between this project and Dosa’s Fire of Love, and notable distinctions.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Despite those distinctions, the candidates share broad agreement on many issues.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bolden agreed to take less money, $22 million, but the trial judge ruled that Bolden deserves extra compensation to cover the time the case took to get to trial.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
This unusual novel deserves its inclusion on the longlist for the 2026 Climate Fiction Prize.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To Trump, fluidity and inconsistency are virtues, not bugs.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Critics insist there isn’t a verifiable way to ensure that buyers receive what the labels promise, creating room for inauthentic claims that inflate the environmental virtues of certain products.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Although plants are sometimes selected and bred for darker foliage solely for ornamental purposes, there are distinct physiological advantages to plants that have it.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Despite their advantages, these systems raise important concerns.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The city still struggles with the fallout from the pandemic, when Downtown was hollowed out, property values and tax revenues fell and have never recovered.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Plummer is concerned the operations will disturb his horses, while his real estate agent has warned him to be prepared for a seven-figure loss in property values.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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