Merit is used mainly as a noun for something good or praiseworthydeserving approval, admiration, or commendation in a person or thing. It can also mean the qualityan attribute or feature that makes someone or something as it is of deservingworthy of receiving a particular reward or treatment something, and as a verb it means to deserve.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈmɛrɪt/
Easy pronunciation: MER-it (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Noun: a good quality or attribute that deserves praise or approval.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Merit Meaning
a good quality that deserves praise or approval
Part of speech: noun
Definition: any admirable quality or attribute
Example: The project has real merit, especially in its practical design.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- virtue — Fits the sense of a praiseworthy quality or strength.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Merit
Meaning 2
to deserve
Part of speech: verb
Definition: be worthy or deserving
Example: This case merits careful attention.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- deserve — Direct verbal equivalent.
Meaning 3
the state of being worthy of help, praise, or reward
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance)
Example: His need, not his merit, should decide the amount of help he receives.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- deservingness — Refers to the quality of being deserving.
- meritoriousness — A more formal word for being deserving or praiseworthy.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Merit Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- virtue
verb: be worthy or deserving
- deserve
noun: the quality of being deserving
- deservingness
- meritoriousness
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse merit as a noun meaning 'worth or praise' with merit as a verb meaning 'deserve'.
- Merit is not the same as demerit, which means a fault or drawback.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does merit mean?
Merit usually means a good or admirable quality. It can also mean the quality of being deserving, or it can be used as a verb meaning 'deserve'.
What is a synonym for merit?
For the main noun sense, a close synonym is virtue. For the verb sense, the synonym is deserve.
How do you use merit in a sentence?
You might say, 'The idea has merit' or 'This decision merits further discussion.'
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
