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meritorious

[ mer-i-tawr-ee-uhs, -tohr- ]
/ ˌmɛr ɪˈtɔr i əs, -ˈtoʊr- /
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See synonyms for meritorious on Thesaurus.com
adjective
deserving praise, reward, esteem, etc.; praiseworthy: to receive a gift for meritorious service.
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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, -ory1, -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM meritorious

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH meritorious

meritorious , meretricious
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to meritorious

exemplary, praiseworthy, admirable, boss, choice, creditable, deserving, estimable, excellent, golden, good, laudable, noble, right, righteous, thankworthy, top drawer, virtuous, winner, worthy

How to use meritorious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for meritorious

meritorious
/ (ˌmɛrɪˈtɔːrɪəs) /
adjective
praiseworthy; showing merit

Derived forms of meritorious

meritoriously, adverbmeritoriousness, noun

Word Origin for meritorious

C15: from Latin meritōrius earning money
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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