Meaning of merit in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈmɛrət/

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1. Verb

   merit

   Definitions

   1. be worthy or deserving

   Examples

   • « You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done »

2. Noun

   merit

   Etymology

   Middle English (originally in the sense ‘deserved reward or punishment’): via Old French from Latin meritum‘due reward’, from mereri‘earn, deserve’

   Definitions

   1. any admirable quality or attribute

   Examples

   • « work of great merit »

   Antonyms

   • demerit
   • fault
3. 2. the quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance)

   Examples

   • « there were many children whose deservingness he recognized and rewarded »