merits

Noun

• any admirable quality or attribute
• the quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance)
• plural of merit
• Intrinsic advantages, as opposed to political or procedural advantages.
• Substance, distinguished from form or procedure.

Verb

• be worthy or deserving
• third-person singular simple present indicative of merit

Examples

• I was the boss's pet project, but was rejected on the merits.
• The merits of the case favored the plaintiffs, but their procedural blunders set them back.

Synonyms

deserve, deservingness, merit, meritoriousness, virtue

Antonyms

demerit