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
Hanna Arhirova, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Meanwhile, European governments are assessing the merits of opening talks with Putin.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Much of the talk before the West Ham game had been about Bruno Fernandes versus Rice, and the merits of their player-of-the-year candidacies.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 12 May 2026
In an unexpected twist on Monday, Alito issued an extension of the temporary pause, giving him and his colleagues more time to decide on the merits of the case of whether to allow mifepristone to be sold online.
—Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2026
Discussing the merits of his actual song, therefore, seems entirely trivial.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
When to Avoid Fabric Starch For all of its merits, starch is not appropriate for all fabrics and occasions.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026
While her sisters are dedicated to love and romance, however that may look to them, Mary mostly seems to tick between wanting to be left alone and wanting to be seen on her own merits.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
In addition to asking for a stay of the lower court’s ruling, Danco Laboratories urged the justices to take the case up on the merits.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 2 May 2026
Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 7 May 2026
DeSantis is arguing that Florida’s significant growth over the past few years merits a redraw of the state’s congressional boundaries.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 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
The longest losing streak in 22 years certainly merits some sort of shakeup beyond just the lineup.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
Meanwhile, European governments are assessing the merits of opening talks with Putin.
—Hanna Arhirova, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Meanwhile, European governments are assessing the merits of opening talks with Putin.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Much of the talk before the West Ham game had been about Bruno Fernandes versus Rice, and the merits of their player-of-the-year candidacies.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 12 May 2026
In an unexpected twist on Monday, Alito issued an extension of the temporary pause, giving him and his colleagues more time to decide on the merits of the case of whether to allow mifepristone to be sold online.
—Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2026
Discussing the merits of his actual song, therefore, seems entirely trivial.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
When to Avoid Fabric Starch For all of its merits, starch is not appropriate for all fabrics and occasions.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026
While her sisters are dedicated to love and romance, however that may look to them, Mary mostly seems to tick between wanting to be left alone and wanting to be seen on her own merits.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
In addition to asking for a stay of the lower court’s ruling, Danco Laboratories urged the justices to take the case up on the merits.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 2 May 2026
Verb
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
DeSantis is arguing that Florida’s significant growth over the past few years merits a redraw of the state’s congressional boundaries.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 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
The longest losing streak in 22 years certainly merits some sort of shakeup beyond just the lineup.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merits
Noun
-
Nortin Hadler, an emeritus professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina, told me that the issue extends far beyond subtle distinctions.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
-
But Cuban authorities still make legal distinctions between Cubans who have permanent residence on the island and those who don’t.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
And who really deserves a break?—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
One idea deserves more focus than the others.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Sharon had submitted a dozen couplets about the virtues of stay-at-home motherhood, as well as a rhyming list of reasons to believe in God.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
One of the many virtues of the Old Colony Mennonite church is silence.—
Maria Giesbrecht,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Winning the margins Although the Sky’s win was anchored by double-doubles from Cardoso (22 points and 14 rebounds) and Diggins (21 and 11), the game ultimately was won by their ability to maximize advantages at the rim.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Evaluate all three carefully before getting started and consider, too, the advantages of splitting a deposit of this size amid two or even all of these account types now.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Assayas takes a cynical and clichéd view regarding temptation and corruption, worldly rewards of security and pleasure, even ego and pride, while having nothing to say about the transformations envisioned or the values embodied in the exercise of political authority.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
And for vegans, undeclared dairy or eggs can affect health or ethical values.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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