1
as in distinction
a quality that gives something special worth
this mystery novel at least has the merit of an original plot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in value
the relative usefulness or importance of something as judged by specific qualities
that idea has some merit, so let's explore it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of merit
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
On the merits, this warning should crowd out every other story in the campaign.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
One part of the process that merits a closer examination, some say, is how universities solicit external review letters.
—Bykatie Langin, science.org, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for merit 
Noun
Rather than merely caving in, a better course of AI discourse would be to press AI on the merits of all options.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
On the merits, this warning should crowd out every other story in the campaign.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
Yes, a film performance can merit that level of comparison.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
One part of the process that merits a closer examination, some say, is how universities solicit external review letters.
—Bykatie Langin, science.org, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for merit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merit
Noun
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The distinction is important because a felony arrest typically entails more rigid follow-up in court and a higher likelihood of jail detention, while a misdemeanor often ends with a citation and release on the spot.Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
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To detail how this may be done, Heidegger begins as any good philosopher would, with a distinction.Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Buster Posey understands the value of a good shortstop.Justice delos Santos, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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The value of assets tied to Donald Trump — and those likely to benefit under his administration — surged in the wake of his decisive electoral victory on Tuesday.Rob Wile, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Our children deserve every possible opportunity to grow up healthy and prepared for the future.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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Everyone's favorite casserole deserves a bit of extra attention so each bite is perfect.Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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If González’s advantage over Dalmau prevails, the pro-statehood New Progressive Party would make history as the first in Puerto Rico to secure a third consecutive term.Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
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These are the kind of advantages that traditionally belong to the winner.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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While the cameras were rolling, Anderson taught the climbers about the importance of temperate rainforests (Tongass National Forest is the world’s largest at nearly 17 million acres) and took them salmon fishing.Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
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Given the importance of manpower in a war of attrition, the first battlefield employment of thousands of North Korean troops recently deployed to Russia marks another escalation in non-European involvement.Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
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As a local and self-described skiing fanatic, O’Neill was familiar with the virtues of the Colorado community.Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024
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Eastwood, with more than five decades under his belt directing films dedicated to complex inquiries into virtue, ethics, and fairness, was the first name that popped into his head.Tomris Laffly, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The nation also won both U17 and U20 world titles in 2016 demonstrating a concerted excellence in women's soccer at youth level.Asif Burhan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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The celebrity and business leader list reads like a who’s who of Black excellence in the U.S.: Tyler Perry, Brian Tyree Henry, Don Cheadle, Spike Lee, John Legend, Jermaine Dupri, Bakari Sellers and so on (and on…).Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near merit
Cite this Entry
“Merit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merit. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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