meritorious

[ mer-i-tawr-ee-uhs, -tohr- ]

adjective

1. deserving praise, reward, esteem, etc.; praiseworthy:

   to receive a gift for meritorious service.

meritorious

/ ˌmɛrɪˈtɔːrɪəs /

adjective

1. praiseworthy; showing merit

Derived Forms

• ˌmeriˈtoriousness, noun
• ˌmeriˈtoriously, adverb

Other Words From

• meri·tori·ous·ly adverb
• meri·tori·ous·ness noun
• unmer·i·tori·ous adjective
• unmer·i·tori·ous·ly adverb
• unmer·i·tori·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of meritorious¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of meritorious¹

C15: from Latin meritōrius earning money

Example Sentences

As you can imagine, a fair amount of the requests are not meritorious.

From Washington Post

But highest profile does not mean most judicially meritorious.

From The Daily Beast

Ibrahim Kalin, and advisor to Erdogan, spoke of a “meritorious isolation” of the country.

From The Daily Beast

The Queen was so impressed that she had a watch inscribed to Miss Eagle for ‘meritorious and extraordinary clairvoyance.’

From The Daily Beast

“Meritorious promotions are now meritorious if you can believe it,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

The reforms that Howard advocates, meritorious as they are, require political support to be enacted.

From The Daily Beast

He was created baron Tilbury by Charles I for meritorious services.

From Project Gutenberg

Economy was his strong point and he observed it in his public and private life with meritorious consistency.

From Project Gutenberg

What is there so superior or so meritorious in the attitude of a religious man towards God?

From Project Gutenberg

The voluntary renouncement of earthly goods alone is meritorious before God.

From Project Gutenberg

Verily this is a meritorious deed, and therefore hast thou been delivered into my hands.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exemplary
• praiseworthy