Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deserving reward or praise: Having merit or worth that deserves recognition, reward, or commendation.
   • Characterized by merit: Possessing good qualities or praiseworthy attributes that justify honor or esteem.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The soldier received a medal for his meritorious actions in the field.
  • Her meritorious work on the project was acknowledged by the entire company.
  • The committee recognized his meritorious service to the community over several decades.

Advanced Usage

• "Meritorious" in formal contexts: Often used in official, legal, or military contexts to describe service, conduct, or achievements worthy of formal recognition.
  • The court may reduce a sentence based on meritorious behavior.
• "Meritorious" as a criterion: Used to describe the quality that makes something deserving of a positive judgment.
  • The scholarship is awarded based on both academic excellence and meritorious extracurricular involvement.

Variants and Related Words

• Merit (noun): The quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward.
  • The decision was made on the basis of merit.
• Meritoriously (adverb): In a way that deserves praise or reward.
  • He served his country meritoriously.
• Meritoriousness (noun): The quality or state of being meritorious.
  • The meritoriousness of her deed was unquestionable.

Synonyms

• Praiseworthy: Deserving approval and admiration.
• Commendable: Worthy of praise.
• Laudable: Deserving praise and commendation.
• Honorable: Bringing or worthy of honor.

Antonyms

• Unworthy: Not deserving effort, attention, or respect.
• Blameworthy: Responsible for wrongdoing and deserving of censure.
• Discreditable: Tending to bring discredit or disrepute; shameful.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "On its own merits": Judged based solely on its inherent qualities, not on external factors.
  • The proposal should be evaluated on its own merits.
• "A meritorious case": A claim or argument that has substantial merit and deserves a favorable judgment.
  • The lawyer presented a meritorious case for the defense.

Adjective

1. deserving reward or praise
   • a lifetime of meritorious service
   • meritorious conduct