as in distinctions
a quality that gives something special worth
this mystery novel at least has the merit of an original plot
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Recent Examples of merits
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The Supreme Court lifted that pause in July while a lawsuit on the merits of the effort continues to play out.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
That wide-eyed exclamation has been Reeves’s official trademark ever since, and its eternal adolescent naïveté has kept him from being properly judged on the merits of his work.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
The same technology’s feasibility should also be assessed under different climate zones, and full life cycle assessments (cradle-to-grave) of GS are a necessity for a better understanding of the technology’s merits and limits, researchers noted.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
The impressed Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood team decamped to a bar in Burbank to discuss the merits of both pitches.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Giving helpful notes with observations on the merits of the storytelling and the storyteller(s) — not so much.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
This collection is arguably an acknowledgment of the merits of fakery.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Trump's peace deal, whatever its other merits or flaws, failed to address the fundamental question of who governs Gaza and how order will be maintained.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Every last stitch feels considered on the collaboration penny loafer, and its overall top-quality design merits that $420 price tag… at least in our book.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Another of Kapler’s former Giants coaches who merits consideration is current New York Mets first base coach Antoan Richardson, who played in the Giants’ minor league system and is among the brightest minds in the game.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Gardner’s photograph merits attention.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The attentive and gracious service merits applause and, along with the exciting Nikkei fare, a swift return visit.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
But this week’s 6,000 exoplanet milestone merits celebration.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The question today is whether the geopolitical West as a category merits similar skepticism.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
The Manoah saga is ongoing and merits thousands of words of its own, but that's not the main story here.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
The low-earning majors are likely being left behind as a larger proportion of Americans question the merits of higher education entirely.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The Supreme Court lifted that pause in July while a lawsuit on the merits of the effort continues to play out.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
That wide-eyed exclamation has been Reeves’s official trademark ever since, and its eternal adolescent naïveté has kept him from being properly judged on the merits of his work.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
The same technology’s feasibility should also be assessed under different climate zones, and full life cycle assessments (cradle-to-grave) of GS are a necessity for a better understanding of the technology’s merits and limits, researchers noted.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
The impressed Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood team decamped to a bar in Burbank to discuss the merits of both pitches.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Giving helpful notes with observations on the merits of the storytelling and the storyteller(s) — not so much.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
This collection is arguably an acknowledgment of the merits of fakery.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Trump's peace deal, whatever its other merits or flaws, failed to address the fundamental question of who governs Gaza and how order will be maintained.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
The August meeting between Hall, ITS and Sowell may have violated federal ethics laws and merits an independent investigation, according to CLC.
—Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Every last stitch feels considered on the collaboration penny loafer, and its overall top-quality design merits that $420 price tag… at least in our book.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Another of Kapler’s former Giants coaches who merits consideration is current New York Mets first base coach Antoan Richardson, who played in the Giants’ minor league system and is among the brightest minds in the game.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Gardner’s photograph merits attention.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
The attentive and gracious service merits applause and, along with the exciting Nikkei fare, a swift return visit.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
But this week’s 6,000 exoplanet milestone merits celebration.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The question today is whether the geopolitical West as a category merits similar skepticism.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
The Manoah saga is ongoing and merits thousands of words of its own, but that's not the main story here.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merits
Noun
-
Might these be distinctions without a difference?—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The traditional distinctions between linear and streaming are fading away for sports, however.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Barkov deserves, belatedly, finally, a place of highest stature in South Florida sports history as the Panthers’ equal of Dolphins great Dan Marino and Heat icon Dwyane Wade.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
That’s why any new lump or change in the chest deserves medical attention.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Syclone may not have been fully appreciated during its day, but today, more than 30 years later, enthusiasts have caught onto its major virtues.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Administration can grow to model the virtues it should be made to preach.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Legalized betting has certain security advantages in that unusual betting patterns — such as large bets being placed on a random player’s performance — can be immediately flagged.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
While the Dodgers have the most advantages on paper, Toronto has enough talent to compete and could test Los Angeles' bullpen, a known weakness.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Today, the fourth and fifth generations are largely leading the philanthropic drive, but the family’s vision and values were evident throughout the 20th century.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Although Connolly served as deputy speaker of Ireland’s lower house after being first elected in 2016, her win was widely viewed as continuing the recent trend of choosing a more independent president based on the candidate’s values.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merits. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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