claim to respect and praise; excellence; worth.

something that deserves or justifies a reward or commendation; a commendable quality, act, etc.

The book's only merit is its sincerity.

merits, the inherent rights and wrongs of a matter, as a lawsuit, unobscured by procedural details, technicalities, personal feelings, etc.

The case will be decided on its merits alone.

Often, merits. the state or fact of deserving; desert

to treat people according to their merits.

Roman Catholic Church . worthiness of spiritual reward, acquired by righteous acts made under the influence of grace.

Obsolete . something that is deserved, whether good or bad.

to be worthy of; deserve.

Chiefly Theology . to acquire merit.

based on merit

a merit raise of

noun

demerit , disadvantage , fault , weakness

noun

arete , asset , benefit , caliber , credit , desert , dignity , excellence , excellency , good , goodness , honor , integrity , perfection , quality , stature , strong point , talent , value , virtue , worth , worthiness , beauty , distinction , commendableness , eminence , estimableness , exemplarity , meed , pl. claim , prestige , reward , right

verb

be in line for , be worthy , deserve , earn , get one’s comeuppance , get one’s due , get one’s just desserts , get what is coming , have a claim , have a right , have coming , incur , justify , rate , warrant , gain , get , win , award , credit , desert , deserts , dignity , excellence , reward , stature , virtue , worth