as in deserved
being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong
the punishment, although harsh, was entirely merited
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Recent Examples of merited
Harvey Young, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Yes, there were a few on Sunday night that merited free throws.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Despite disagreement with Weaver's politics, however, legislators at that time appeared to agree that the policy and conduct of federal agents merited scrutiny.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 24 Jan. 2026
Avicii would need to wait a few more decades to qualify, his beats surely merited a place.
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
But, Holcomb added, the defendant merited some time behind bars.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Losing both offensive and defensive coordinators the way the Lions did merited that.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh sang each other’s praises, as merited.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
There is evidence of other complete burials at the site, indicating that the woman must have merited special treatment, Thompson said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Shuttle launches rarely merited prolonged attention in the national news.
—Harvey Young, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Yes, there were a few on Sunday night that merited free throws.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Despite disagreement with Weaver's politics, however, legislators at that time appeared to agree that the policy and conduct of federal agents merited scrutiny.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 24 Jan. 2026
Avicii would need to wait a few more decades to qualify, his beats surely merited a place.
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
But, Holcomb added, the defendant merited some time behind bars.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Losing both offensive and defensive coordinators the way the Lions did merited that.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh sang each other’s praises, as merited.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
There is evidence of other complete burials at the site, indicating that the woman must have merited special treatment, Thompson said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merited
Adjective
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To Spoelstra the approach remains that youth will be served when deserved, and even then not at the cost of one more victory, even amid the seemingly inescapable reality of a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in round.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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The promotion is not only well deserved—programming launched under Walden has received over 1,200 awards, including more than 400 Emmys.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Sweet Venus enters your thoughtful sign, empowering you with justified confidence in your powers of attraction.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment, but officials there have broadly defended the department’s actions as not only justified but necessary for ensuring the rule of law and holding alleged criminals to account.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merited. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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