merits
Britishplural noun
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the actual and intrinsic rights and wrongs of an issue, esp in a law case, as distinct from extraneous matters and technicalities
-
on the intrinsic qualities or virtues
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.
Countless pundits, pedestrians, practitioners and parents are argue over the merits of the case, both online and IRL.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026
District Judge Ana Reyes blocked it nationwide while the case proceeded after finding that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail on the merits.
From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026
Then, on Wednesday, Bonta, who is seeking reelection in November, announced the latest lawsuit challenging the merits of the Postal Service rules, which he noted had been formally issued last week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Chief Justice John Roberts’s order last Friday staying that injunction wasn’t accompanied by an opinion and isn’t a ruling on the merits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
I will do my best to bring you the facts of this case, and I know you will do your best to judge the merits of the case.
From "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers
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.
