plural merits
1
a
: a praiseworthy quality : virtue
But originality, as it is one of the highest, is also one of the rarest, of merits.—
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
b
: character or conduct deserving reward, honor, or esteem
c
: a person's qualities, actions, etc. regarded as indicating what the person deserves to receive
Opinions of his merit vary.
Admissions officers judge one's merit by looking at one's past accomplishments and circumstances. But merit is not just about one's past—it is about one's future potential.—Michelle I. Gao
Michelle I. Gao
d
obsolete
: reward or punishment due
2
a
merits plural
: the substance of a legal case apart from matters of jurisdiction, procedure, or form
The plaintiff … is entitled to have its claim decided here on its merits.—T. M. Maddes
T. M. Maddes
b
: individual significance or justification (see justification sense 1)
The contention is without merit.—E. B. Denny
E. B. Denny3
: spiritual credit held to be earned by performance of righteous acts and to ensure future benefits
… the Crusades … did serve the desire to gain spiritual merit …—Jacques Barzun
Jacques BarzunSynonyms
Examples of merit in a Sentence
Noun
She saw merit in both of the arguments.
The study has no scientific merit.
Verb
Both ideas merit further consideration.
These issues merit special attention.
His good work merits a raise.
She did well enough to merit a second interview.
The attention she received was not merited.
Recent Examples on the WebJason Ma, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Legal experts and Missouri Democrats who spoke with The Star were quick to point out this discrepancy, saying that Bailey’s letter had no real legal merit.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for merit 
Noun
Jonathan said that even though rates are high, investors should judge each property on its own merits.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Legal experts and Missouri Democrats who spoke with The Star were quick to point out this discrepancy, saying that Bailey’s letter had no real legal merit.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for merit
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'merit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near merit
Cite this Entry
“Merit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merit. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
merit
1 of 2 noun
mer·it
ˈmer-ət 
1
: the qualities or actions that determine one's worthiness of reward or punishment
were rewarded according to merit
2
: a quality worthy of praise : virtue
the merit of honesty
3
: worth entry 2 sense 2, value
your idea has great merit
4
: individual significance or justification
the accusation is without merit
meritless
adjective
merit
2 of 2 verb
: to earn by service or performance : deserve
Legal Definition
merit
noun
mer·it
ˈmer-ət
1
plural
: the substance of a case apart from matters of jurisdiction, procedure, or form
a ruling on the merits of the case
see also judgment on the merits at judgment sense 1a
2
: legal significance, standing, or worth
an argument without merit
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