The word ‘Merit’ (Noun) describes the quality that makes someone or something worthy of praise, reward, or recognition. in this guide, you’ll learn the full definition, synonyms, antonyms, etymology, and real-life examples of how to use ‘Merit’ correctly in sentences,
Merit Explained in Depth
A complete and detailed guide to the words Merit including meaning, definition, examples, etymology, synonyms, and antonyms.
Meanings of Merit
Merit means the quality of being good, valuable, or worthy of praise and reward. At the core, it comes from a person’s real abilities, efforts, or positive actions. Furthermore, merit highlights the idea that success should come from hard work and genuine achievement, not from favoritism or luck.
In many cases, people use merit to judge who deserves a scholarship, a promotion, or an award. Ultimately, merit reminds us that effort, skill, and integrity matter when earning respect and recognition.
Definition:
Merit refers to the quality that makes someone or something worthy of praise, reward, or recognition. At first, merit often relates to personal effort, talent, or strong character. In addition, it highlights genuine achievements rather than success gained through luck or outside help. Moreover, people value merit because it reflects hard work, honesty, and true ability.
As a result, societies often use merit as a way to judge who deserves awards, promotions, or special opportunities. Ultimately, when someone shows real merit, they earn respect and admiration through their own actions and choices.
Example Sentences:
- First, Jenna demonstrated great merit by leading the project with creativity and focus.
- Moreover, her attention to detail and teamwork added even more merit to her leadership.
- Meanwhile, other candidates struggled to match the level of merit she consistently displayed.
Etymology:
The word “merit” has a rich and interesting history. Originally, it comes from the Latin word “meritum,” meaning “a reward” or “something earned.” Then, as Latin evolved, “meritum” connected with the verb “mereri,” which means “to earn” or “to deserve.” Over time, this idea traveled into Old French as “merite,” carrying the same sense of earning praise or recognition. Soon after, English speakers in the Middle Ages borrowed the word and shaped it into the modern form we know today.
Thus, when we talk about someone’s merit, we still connect back to ancient ideas of earning honor through true effort and value.
Merit Synonyms:
- Worth
- Excellence
- Value
- Skill
- Achievement
- Distinction
- Ability
- Talented
- Virtue
- Credit
Merit Antonyms
- Fault
- Deficiency
- Incompetence
- Shortcoming
- Weakness
- Inferiority
- Flaw
- Unworthiness
- Discredit
- Disadvantage
FAQs about Merit
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the word “merit”
1. What does the word “merit” mean?
“Merit” refers to a positive quality or feature that makes someone or something worthy of praise, reward, or approval. For example, when someone shows great effort or skill, their actions carry merit.
2. Can I use “merit” as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, you can. As a noun, “merit” describes worth or value (e.g., The idea has merit). As a verb, it means to deserve something (e.g., You merit recognition for your hard work).
3. What does “on merit” mean?
The phrase “on merit” means someone earned something through their own effort or ability, rather than through luck or favoritism. For instance, She won the award on merit alone.
4. Is “merit” used more in formal situations?
Yes, people tend to use “merit” in academic, professional, or official settings. However, you can still use it naturally in everyday conversation when you want to express that something or someone is genuinely deserving.
5. What is a “merit-based” system?
In a merit-based system, people receive opportunities, promotions, or rewards because of their qualifications or achievements. For example, many scholarships are merit-based, meaning students must earn them through academic success or talent.
6. What’s the opposite of merit?
The opposite of merit could be flaw, fault, shortcoming, or disadvantage, depending on the context.
7. Can merit apply to ideas and objects too?
Definitely. You can say This plan has merit or The book’s main merit is its originality. So, it’s not just for people—it works for thoughts, products, or actions as well.
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