meritorious
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- meritoriously adverb
- meritoriousness noun
- unmeritorious adjective
- unmeritoriously adverb
- unmeritoriousness noun
Etymology
Origin of meritorious
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin meritōrius “earning money, for hire, on hire,” from meritus, past participle of merēre, merērī “to receive one's share, be entitled to, deserve, merit.” See merit, -ory 1, -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Presidential Medals of Freedom are awarded to people who have made "exceptionally meritorious contributions to the nation's prosperity, values, or security, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavours".
From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025
“It all comes down to whether Combs has a meritorious defense,” said Olivarius.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024
"It's beautiful to know the same peptide can achieve so many meritorious health effects, that in combination have the potential to help both human and animal patients," said Unniappan.
From Science Daily • May 28, 2024
“The arguments are no more meritorious than the ones the court of appeals in DC already rejected,” tweeted former U.S.
From Salon • Feb. 23, 2024
“We’ll make an award. What were they supposed to be for, meritorious service and bravery?”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
