Definitions

merit

[mer-it] / ˈmɛr ɪt /

NOUN

advantage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

benefit dignity excellence integrity quality stature talent value virtue worthiness

STRONG

arete asset caliber credit desert excellency good goodness honor perfection worth

WEAK

strong point

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disadvantage dishonor

STRONG

disrespect evil ill repute wickedness worthlessness

WEAK

demerit fault weakness

VERB

be entitled to

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deserve just deserts justify warrant

STRONG

earn incur rate

WEAK

be in line for be worthy get one's comeuppance get one's due get what is coming have a claim have a right have coming

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for merit?

Merit can refer to a good or commendable quality, or someone or something’s worth or value. To say that someone earned something based on merit often means that they earned it based on excellence or performance. Relatedly, the word meritocracy is used to refer to a system (such as a workplace) in which people are thought to be rewarded or advanced based on merit, meaning their talent, ability, or accomplishments—as opposed to aspects of their identity, such as their class. A legal case judged on its merits is one judged on the facts and arguments alone, as opposed to one’s personal feelings, such as about the people involved. Merit can also be used as a verb meaning to deserve or be worthy of something, as in I think this merits a celebration! The word warrant has a similar meaning, but it’s more broadly used (merit is most commonly used in positive contexts).

How is merit different from advantage?

The words merit and advantage are sometimes used in similar ways, such as when discussing a good quality that something or someone has. This is especially the case when comparing things, as in Compared to the other candidates, his one merit/advantage is that he has more experience in the field. However, while advantage is usually used in the context of comparisons, merit can be used more broadly to discuss the qualities of someone or something, regardless of whether they’re being compared.

What is the opposite (antonym) of merit?

With its negating prefix de-, the word demerit suggests a direct opposite of merit, and indeed it can mean the opposite of a good or commendable quality—a fault or culpability. You could say that something has both merits and demerits (good and bad points, pros and cons), but demerit isn’t all that commonly used in this way. More generally, the word merit is often used in contrast to arbitrary or biased reasons for making decisions or judgments, as in His promotion wasn’t based on merit—he’s the boss’s nephew.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Displayed below are Gold, Silver, Bronze and Special Merit winners across all 24 categories of the awards, now in their sixth year.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

The national nonprofit that Connor Diemand-Yauman and Rebecca Taber Staehelin co-lead, Merit America, is working with Austin Community College to scale that program to working adults nationwide.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

Other former judges have challenged their terminations through the federal Merit Systems Protection Board.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

Ozaki won 94 times on the Japan Tour -- his first title coming in 1973 -- and won the Order of Merit a record 12 times.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

During the seventies, it had been normal for Permian to have seven seniors qualify as National Merit semifinalists.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

merit

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Vocabulary lists containing merit

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy

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merit

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing merit

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy

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