# merits

/ˈmɛɹəts/ (US) · /mˈɛɹɪts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/merits
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. good qualities

noun · CEFR B2

the good points or advantages that someone or something has.

For teachers: the qualities or characteristics of something that deserve praise or approval.

- The committee will judge each application on its own merits rather than looking at the names.
- The board decided to evaluate the proposal strictly on its merits, ignoring the political pressure from the local council.

### 2. legal substance

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the actual facts and evidence of a legal case, rather than the rules of the court.

For teachers: the substantive facts and legal principles of a case, as distinguished from procedural or technical issues.

- The judge dismissed the case on a technicality before even looking at the merits.
- The appellate court refused to hear the case, ruling that the lower court had already correctly decided the matter on the merits.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'on the merits'.

## Examples

- We should judge each plan on its own merits.
- The committee spent three hours debating the merits of the new proposal before taking a final vote.
- The judge ruled that the case should be decided on its legal merits rather than being dismissed on a minor procedural error.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.