meritocratic

[ mer-i-tuh-krat-ik ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of meritocratic¹

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

Example Sentences

Not long ago, the concept of diversity was viewed as anti-meritocratic—even harmful.

From The Daily Beast

The biggest problem with meritocratic thinking is its obsession with who has earned what.

From The Daily Beast

But it was first and foremost an attempt to wake up America from the torpor of the daily grind under its meritocratic overlords.

From The Daily Beast

But her model for meritocratic social mobility was predicated upon the value of cutthroat individualism.

From The Daily Beast

The grandes écoles, the most influential schools, are meant to train a meritocratic elite, and have rigid admission standards.

From The Daily Beast