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
Remy Dou, The Conversation, 10 June 2026
While the relative merits of their basketball bona fides can be—and most definitely have been—argued ad nauseam, James spoke up on uncomfortable topics.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
An injunction is a preliminary order in a litigation where the judge finds the plaintiff is likely to prevail on the merits and would suffer irreparable injury (meaning an injury money can’t fix) without an injunction.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2026
The county did not address the merits of the procurement challenge.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
The appeals court did not address the merits of the case, which remains under review.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 6 June 2026
That time the justices – three of whom sat with Robinson during the earlier appeal – ruled on the merits of the case.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2026
The company and its advocates would rather debate the merits of one particular study instead of [ShotSpotter parent company] SoundThinking's track record of evading evidence based accountability in Chicago.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 3 June 2026
And James Bond works on a similar frequency, now more a figure of myth—author Ian Fleming died more than six decades ago—than any sort of direct commentary on the merits of western espionage.
—Alex James Kane, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Bruce Weinstein, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Instead, it’s meant to showcase the power of Higgsfield’s technology, CEO Alex Mashrabov told me, not necessarily one of quality, and in that regard, the film merits recognition.
—Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 June 2026
Cousins thinks that still-prevalent bias merits rethinking.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 May 2026
Team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White also merits a place, having scored 14 goals and provided four assists from his all-action midfield role.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 22 May 2026
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
Noun
Before 2025, the foundation also recruited outside experts – typically university researchers – to weigh in on the merits of nearly every funding proposal.
—Remy Dou, The Conversation, 10 June 2026
While the relative merits of their basketball bona fides can be—and most definitely have been—argued ad nauseam, James spoke up on uncomfortable topics.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
An injunction is a preliminary order in a litigation where the judge finds the plaintiff is likely to prevail on the merits and would suffer irreparable injury (meaning an injury money can’t fix) without an injunction.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2026
The county did not address the merits of the procurement challenge.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
The appeals court did not address the merits of the case, which remains under review.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 6 June 2026
That time the justices – three of whom sat with Robinson during the earlier appeal – ruled on the merits of the case.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2026
The company and its advocates would rather debate the merits of one particular study instead of [ShotSpotter parent company] SoundThinking's track record of evading evidence based accountability in Chicago.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 3 June 2026
And James Bond works on a similar frequency, now more a figure of myth—author Ian Fleming died more than six decades ago—than any sort of direct commentary on the merits of western espionage.
—Alex James Kane, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Verb
Communicate Feedback Fairly This directive is emotionally and ethically adjacent to the previous one but merits its own category.
—Bruce Weinstein, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Instead, it’s meant to showcase the power of Higgsfield’s technology, CEO Alex Mashrabov told me, not necessarily one of quality, and in that regard, the film merits recognition.
—Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 June 2026
Cousins thinks that still-prevalent bias merits rethinking.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 May 2026
Team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White also merits a place, having scored 14 goals and provided four assists from his all-action midfield role.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 22 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merits
Noun
-
Both are wearing these distinctions as a badge of honor.—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
While there are no major distinctions between the spaces, there are slight differences.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Serena & Lily delivers on everything from coastal bedding to decor to me, and even though this is still true with this set, the versatility of the bedding deserves some love.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
6 June 2026
-
Navratilova pointed to Nadal’s absurd run at Roland Garros as the kind of dominance that deserves to be celebrated.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
As progressives have begun to fear that the American system might in fact be lost, many have rediscovered its virtues.—
Yoni Appelbaum,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
-
Decades later, some of the biggest criticisms of Communion are arguably among its most charming virtues, from Walken's idiosyncratic performance as a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown to the cheesy special effects.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Navratilova was asked whether tennis’ biggest names get advantages that other players do not.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
Los Angeles offers unique advantages that few Olympic cities can match.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
To succeed, Democrats must now demonstrate that, despite the costs, America’s security at home depends on its influence abroad; shaping foreign policy around traditional values benefits Americans; and respecting alliances is a source of strength.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
Heat index values could approach 100 to 105 degrees, just shy of the weather service’s heat advisory criteria.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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