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5. merits
v. mer·it·ed, mer·it·ing, mer·its
To earn; deserve. See Synonyms at earn.


mer′it·less adj.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.merited - properly deserved; "a merited success"
unmerited - not merited or deserved; "received an unmerited honorary degree"


adjective deserved, justified, warranted, just, earned, appropriate, entitled, rightful, condign, rightly due His selection for the team was a surprise, but a merited one.


Consistent with prevailing or accepted standards or circumstances:
References in periodicals archive ?
The stature of the United States and the respect that it merited and merits among other nations is far more important than whether we approve or disapprove of the character of a foreign head of state.