as in distinctions
a quality that gives something special worth
this mystery novel at least has the merit of an original plot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of merits
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
That wide-eyed exclamation has been Reeves’s official trademark ever since, and its eternal adolescent naïveté has kept him from being properly judged on the merits of his work.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
The impressed Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood team decamped to a bar in Burbank to discuss the merits of both pitches.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
This collection is arguably an acknowledgment of the merits of fakery.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Another of Kapler’s former Giants coaches who merits consideration is current New York Mets first base coach Antoan Richardson, who played in the Giants’ minor league system and is among the brightest minds in the game.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 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
The Manoah saga is ongoing and merits thousands of words of its own, but that's not the main story here.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
That wide-eyed exclamation has been Reeves’s official trademark ever since, and its eternal adolescent naïveté has kept him from being properly judged on the merits of his work.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
The impressed Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood team decamped to a bar in Burbank to discuss the merits of both pitches.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
This collection is arguably an acknowledgment of the merits of fakery.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Another of Kapler’s former Giants coaches who merits consideration is current New York Mets first base coach Antoan Richardson, who played in the Giants’ minor league system and is among the brightest minds in the game.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 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
The Manoah saga is ongoing and merits thousands of words of its own, but that's not the main story here.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 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 earned One Michelin Star, while seven more earned Bib Gourmand distinctions among other recognition.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Though Knowles deserves credit, and respect, for rebuilding a defense that struggled mightily in the previous two years under former coordinator Kerry Coombs, the unit doesn’t need Knowles to have success.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Anything that suggests smoke is escaping somewhere other than straight up and out deserves immediate attention.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Running is a means of developing all these good virtues and habits.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The Syclone may not have been fully appreciated during its day, but today, more than 30 years later, enthusiasts have caught onto its major virtues.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Companies that build these competencies first will have sustainable advantages in innovation speed and quality.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
At 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, his frame and athleticism give him natural advantages against the run, where he was rated as the 22nd-best run defending defensive end out of 121 in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Today, the fourth and fifth generations are largely leading the philanthropic drive, but the family’s vision and values were evident throughout the 20th century.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Although Connolly served as deputy speaker of Ireland’s lower house after being first elected in 2016, her win was widely viewed as continuing the recent trend of choosing a more independent president based on the candidate’s values.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share