merits 1 of 2

plural of merit
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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merits

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of merit
as in deserves
to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) that selfless act of heroism merited a public ceremony to honor the young swimmer

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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
Noun
On its own merits, Fudd had a good rookie year that had an unfortunate turn. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026 The bottom line Savers who want to protect their $50,000 through today's market instability and further over the next three years should seriously consider the merits a 3-year CD offers now. Matt Richardson, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Its statement did not address the contents of the video or the merits of the lawsuit. Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 There was no meaningful public backlash to piggyback onto, and Hinton’s warning had to work entirely on its own persuasive merits. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026 Reasonable people can, and should, debate the merits of each proposal. Brian Peckrill, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 That move has pushed several towns to change their stance based on the financial penalty instead of the merits of the project. Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026 The agreement did not adjudicate the merits of Camero’s allegations. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026 Then the reduced group of selectors will go immediately into discussion on the merits of that candidate. Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
But with returns here easily worth hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars, this account still merits serious consideration now. Matt Richardson, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 One other significant finding that Mitchell said merits further investigation is an area of red discoloration on tissue at the back of Wells' head by the occipital bone. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 July 2026 Professor Mulligan, who also served as director of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office during the Biden administration, says the disappearance merits congressional scrutiny. Aaron Glantz, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026 However, the findings suggest a relationship between birding and brain health that merits further exploration. The Conversation, Fortune, 27 July 2026 And while the misogyny hardly merits her attention, Penso sees it as emblematic of a larger problem. Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 Murton is convinced that merits more attention given Rincon’s age, position and offensive output. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Lundgaard, bound by contract, cannot seek other teams but believes his performance merits retention. Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merits
Noun
  • Lawsuits that find defendants liable or not liable risk imposing black-and-white distinctions on trade-offs that require nuanced thinking.
    Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Traditional distinctions of marketing-qualified leads versus sales-qualified leads give way to measures of pipeline quality, conversion, and customer lifetime value.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The doc simply wants to be the tribute that Lee and Lifeson wanted to throw for their friend, and the joyous look back on a life that Peart deserves.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Zagori, in the mountainous Epirus region of northwestern Greece, deserves several days on foot.
    Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Christian blogger Phylicia Masonheimer has extolled the virtues of lingerie showers.
    Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • When late summer rolls around, Taylor Fritz joins a chorus of Americans in extoling the virtues of hard courts and talking about how the North American swing is his favorite time of year.
    Ava Wallace, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The advantages the Phillies should have in the postseason — raucous home atmosphere, outstanding rotation — have not pushed them over the top.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Podded propulsion offers particular advantages in this environment.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The company’s twin values of work and quirk can sit uneasily in the distractible, self-serious fashion world, to the point that fashion at Hermès has historically been regarded as something of an oxymoron.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Throughout it all, Taylor has remained the same person, with the same values.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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