meritocratic

American  

[mer-i-tuh-krat-ik] / ˌmɛr ɪ təˈkræt ɪk /

adjective

1. based on ability and talent rather than class, privilege, or wealth.

   The prime minister has vowed to create a truly meritocratic country, where everyone will have a fair chance in life.

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Etymology

Origin of meritocratic

First recorded in 1955–60; meritocrat ( def. ) + -ic ( def. )

Example Sentences

She said changes to how Italy's judges and prosecutors work would make the system "more meritocratic, more responsible, more efficient".

From BBC

I’m working with companies that have abandoned hiring algorithms that produced more meritocratic outcomes than human judgment alone—not because the algorithms were flawed, but because the legal exposure wasn’t worth it.

From The Wall Street Journal

"To allow Brooks to come back with no consequence would undermine the meritocratic foundations that are the one thing that makes the PGA Tour legitimate," said Golf Channel pundit Brandel Chamblee.

From BBC

This system was hardly meritocratic, although it did provide for the ascension of accomplished political players who knew how to excite a crowd and leverage the tools of power.

From Salon

"I wonder how ‘meritocratic’ a $1 million gift from daddy is to get your business started?" he mused. "Not much meritocracy there."

From Salon