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
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
Both were calm, respectful and attentive during the nearly two-hour hearing, which hashed out the merits of their competing temporary protective orders.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Rather than deciding on the merits, the decision rejected the lawmakers’ claims of injury as not reviewable by the court.
—Jasmine Farrier, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
The Tuesday order is not on the merits of the case challenging the vote, which the Virginia Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the day before.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Weeks before reports that United was considering a deal with American (which rebuffed the idea) Kirby paid a visit to the White House and pitched the merits of the airline merger to Trump himself — an idea the president was said to be receptive to, according to a person briefed on the meeting.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court gave no reasoning, did not weigh on the merits, and stripped over hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans of their TPS, leaving them vulnerable to detention and deportation.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Legal experts and former officials are split largely along ideological lines on the merits of the SPLC prosecution.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 25 Apr. 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
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
Both were calm, respectful and attentive during the nearly two-hour hearing, which hashed out the merits of their competing temporary protective orders.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Rather than deciding on the merits, the decision rejected the lawmakers’ claims of injury as not reviewable by the court.
—Jasmine Farrier, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
The Tuesday order is not on the merits of the case challenging the vote, which the Virginia Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the day before.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Weeks before reports that United was considering a deal with American (which rebuffed the idea) Kirby paid a visit to the White House and pitched the merits of the airline merger to Trump himself — an idea the president was said to be receptive to, according to a person briefed on the meeting.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court gave no reasoning, did not weigh on the merits, and stripped over hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans of their TPS, leaving them vulnerable to detention and deportation.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Legal experts and former officials are split largely along ideological lines on the merits of the SPLC prosecution.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 25 Apr. 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
-
Among its many distinctions, SPLC is known for bankrupting the Ku Klux Klan.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Kings narrowly cleared the playoff hurdle with the lowest point total, worst goal differential and other ignominious distinctions among postseason qualifiers in a season where goals and wins, particularly in regulation, were rather infrequent.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Florida deserves better than backroom deals and rushed decisions that sidestep the Constitution.—
Jon Harris Maurer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
This twin-engine beast deserves your full attention.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Choose to act from one aspect of your values, character, essence, or virtues.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 May 2026
-
During a March school board meeting, Nicky Smit — a staff member at Sandburg High School — extolled the virtues of foreign language learning and pressed the district to add Arabic language courses.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 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
-
Pichai carries strong values into his work—economic uplift, compassion for migrants—and says his quest is to build useful things for as many people as possible.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
6 May 2026
-
And his values had been incubated in an earlier era.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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