1. (

• merit ,
• virtue ,

) any admirable quality or attribute; "work of great merit" ;

2. (

• deservingness ,
• merit ,
• meritoriousness

) the quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance); "there were many children whose deservingness he recognized and rewarded" ;

1. (

• deserve ,
• merit ,

) be worthy or deserving; "You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done" ;