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
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
His more conservative Viking colleagues questioned the project’s merits; Cowley was enmeshed in its difficulties.
—Michael Gorra, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Yet Saturday’s game between the All Blacks, the world’s most famous international rugby team, and Ireland, whose supporters dominated the stands, offered Chicago a platform to remind the world of its merits.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The movie's title and poster have become memes on social media, although some online circles have reappraised its merits in recent years.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
This is achieved by combining the merits of high-speed electronics and microwave photonics technologies.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
Rather than competing on the merits, business leaders will need to get wise to the ways of Washington.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Either of these heavy hitters can make a compelling case based on its merits.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
The low-earning majors are likely being left behind as a larger proportion of Americans question the merits of higher education entirely.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Finding even a patch of skin on a skeleton merits celebration in paleontological circles.
—Paul C. Sereno, The Conversation, 24 Oct. 2025
The August meeting between Hall, ITS and Sowell may have violated federal ethics laws and merits an independent investigation, according to CLC.
—Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Every last stitch feels considered on the collaboration penny loafer, and its overall top-quality design merits that $420 price tag… at least in our book.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Gardner’s photograph merits attention.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The attentive and gracious service merits applause and, along with the exciting Nikkei fare, a swift return visit.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
But this week’s 6,000 exoplanet milestone merits celebration.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The question today is whether the geopolitical West as a category merits similar skepticism.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
But Kardashian’s performance, stiff and affectless without a single authentic note, is exactly what the writing, also stiff and affectless without a single authentic note, merits.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
His more conservative Viking colleagues questioned the project’s merits; Cowley was enmeshed in its difficulties.
—Michael Gorra, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Yet Saturday’s game between the All Blacks, the world’s most famous international rugby team, and Ireland, whose supporters dominated the stands, offered Chicago a platform to remind the world of its merits.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The movie's title and poster have become memes on social media, although some online circles have reappraised its merits in recent years.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
This is achieved by combining the merits of high-speed electronics and microwave photonics technologies.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
Rather than competing on the merits, business leaders will need to get wise to the ways of Washington.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Either of these heavy hitters can make a compelling case based on its merits.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
The low-earning majors are likely being left behind as a larger proportion of Americans question the merits of higher education entirely.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
But the proceedings may be slightly different this week, with arguments focused on whether the case merits a full hearing in the future.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Finding even a patch of skin on a skeleton merits celebration in paleontological circles.
—Paul C. Sereno, The Conversation, 24 Oct. 2025
The August meeting between Hall, ITS and Sowell may have violated federal ethics laws and merits an independent investigation, according to CLC.
—Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Every last stitch feels considered on the collaboration penny loafer, and its overall top-quality design merits that $420 price tag… at least in our book.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Gardner’s photograph merits attention.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The attentive and gracious service merits applause and, along with the exciting Nikkei fare, a swift return visit.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
But this week’s 6,000 exoplanet milestone merits celebration.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The question today is whether the geopolitical West as a category merits similar skepticism.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merits
Noun
-
Jones also sought to draw distinctions on policy.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Three Nashville restaurants won One Star distinctions.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Simple enough for a weeknight dinner and impressive enough for a holiday get together, this baked fennel deserves a permanent spot in your recipe box.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
-
My generation deserves better leaders than the ones teaching us that bigotry is bravery and hate is just a joke.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Just as personal vices can shape the course of an individual life, so too can national vices influence our collective experience, maybe as much as our virtues—or possibly even more.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Running is a means of developing all these good virtues and habits.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Newer artists have also seen some advantages with the eligibility period not adhering to a typical calendar year.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Falcon Enamelware espresso cup Falcon’s espresso cups have the dual advantages of being cute and durable.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For Florida, Sykes argued, even a flat market signals stability after years of breakneck appreciation—especially in Palm Beach, where home values have jumped as much as 200% in the past few years.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Your money matters and personal values are in the spotlight of this retrograde, Scorpio.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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