merit

merit — noun

1. a standard of goodness or skill that earns someone or something praise, a reward

1.nounB2
Definition

a standard of goodness or skill that earns someone or something praise, a reward, or a particular position

Example

The scholarship was awarded purely on academic merit, without considering family background.

on [adjective] merit — basis for selection

Trang's research paper has enough merit to be published in a top journal.

has enough merit + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • on merit
  • academic merit
  • artistic merit
  • literary merit
  • have merit
  • merit-based
Synonyms
  • worth

    focuses on inherent value rather than earned recognition; less formal

  • excellence

    stronger, implies an exceptionally high standard rather than simply meeting a standard

  • quality

    broader, can refer to any feature; less evaluative than 'merit'

Antonyms
  • demerit

    direct opposite; a flaw or fault that reduces someone's worth

Grammar Patterns

merit (uncountable)

[adjective] merit

Usage Note

Frequently uncountable. Common in contexts about selection, reward, and evaluation where personal quality is measured against objective standards. The collocation 'on merit' appears in formal recruitment and admissions language.

Common Mistakes

The plan has many merits' (when meaning sense 1 'goodness/worth').
The plan has merit.
When 'merit' means 'the quality of being good', it is uncountable. For countable specific advantages, use sense 2.

2. the good qualities or strong points that make something seem better or more reas

2.nounB2
Definition

the good qualities or strong points that make something seem better or more reasonable than another option when you compare them

Example

Pedro presented the merits of both housing options to his parents.

the merits of [something]

Each plan has its own merits and drawbacks that the team must weigh carefully.

merits and drawbacks — contrasting pair

Common collocations
  • the merits of
  • relative merits
  • weigh the merits
  • discuss the merits
  • merits and drawbacks
  • merits and weaknesses
Synonyms
  • advantage

    more direct and conversational; focuses on a practical benefit rather than an inherent good quality

  • strength

    emphasises robustness or effectiveness; commonly paired with 'weakness'

  • virtue

    suggests a morally good quality; slightly more formal and evaluative

Antonyms
  • drawback

    a disadvantage or negative feature of something

  • weakness

    a point where something is not effective or strong

Grammar Patterns

the merits of [something]

[possessive] merits

Usage Note

Nearly always used in the plural form ('merits') for this sense. Often paired with a contrasting noun such as 'drawbacks', 'weaknesses', or 'disadvantages'. The preposition 'of' typically introduces the thing being evaluated.

Common Mistakes

The merit of this method is its low cost.
One of the merits of this method is its low cost.
For countable advantages, use the plural form or 'one of the merits'.
Idioms

on its (own) merits / on the merits

idiom

judging or evaluating something based on its own qualities and characteristics alone, without comparing it to other things or being influenced by outside factors

Each job application should be considered on its own merits rather than on the applicant's connections.

The judge decided the case strictly on the merits of the evidence presented.

merit — verb

Word family

  • meritorious
    adjectiveC1
  • merited
    adjectiveB2
  • unmerited
    adjectiveC1
  • meritocracy
    nounC1
  • meritocratic
    adjectiveC2
  • demerit
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Merit, worth, excellence, and quality all refer to a positive evaluation of someone or something, but they differ in emphasis. 'Merit' specifically suggests earned recognition — the person or thing has shown they deserve praise through demonstrated ability (e.g., 'a candidate chosen on merit'). 'Worth' is more about inherent value regardless of recognition; something can have worth without anyone acknowledging it ('the worth of clean air'). 'Excellence' implies an exceptionally high standard, far above average ('an award for teaching excellence'). 'Quality' is the broadest and most neutral term, simply describing a characteristic that may be good or bad, and in evaluative use it is usually paired with an adjective ('high quality'). Use 'merit' when the focus is on earned desert in a selection or reward context; use 'worth' for inherent value; use 'excellence' for top-tier performance; and use 'quality' as a more general term.

merit ↗worth ↗excellence ↗quality ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • merit-based system
  • merit scholarship
  • merit award
  • merit principle
  • merit badge

Adverbs

  • purely on merit
  • strictly on merit

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'merit' comes from Latin 'meritum', meaning 'that which one deserves', from the verb 'merere' meaning 'to earn, deserve, or gain'. It passed into English through Old French 'merite' during the 13th century, initially carrying both the sense of earned reward and spiritual credit. The verb form developed in the 16th century, and by the 18th century 'merit' was firmly established in English as a key term in discussions of justice, reward, and evaluation.