meritorious

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌmɛrəˈtɔriəs/ UK /ˌmɛrɪˈtɔːriəs/ See IPA manual

Freq #54921

Meanings

1

adj
deserving praise, honor, or reward because of excellence or good conduct

The firefighter received a medal for meritorious service during the rescue.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · deserving praise, honor, or... commendable praiseworthy deserving worthy

Opposites

blameworthy unworthy discreditable

Word family

Forms meritoriously

Related forms merit commendation deserving

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

meritorious conduct
behavior that deserves praise or recognition

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English meritorious, from Latin meritorius ("bringing in money; earning reward"), based on mereri ("earn, deserve"). The English sense generalized from earning payment or reward to conduct worthy of praise or distinction.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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