noun

1. A claim to commendation or a reward.

2. A mark or token of approbation or to recognize excellence.

   “For her good performance in the examination, her teacher gave her ten merits.”

3. Something deserving or worthy of positive recognition or reward.

   “His reward for his merit was a check for $50.”

Synonyms: excellence, value, worth

verb

1. To deserve, to earn.

   “Her performance merited wild applause.”

2. To be deserving or worthy.

   “They were punished as they merited.”

3. To reward.