merit

noun

Superior quality or worth; excellence.

noun

A quality deserving praise or approval; virtue.

noun

Demonstrated ability or achievement.

noun

An aspect of character or behavior deserving approval or disapproval.

noun

In various religions, spiritual credit granted for good works.

noun

The factors to be considered in making a substantive decision in a case, independent of procedural or technical aspects.

noun

The factual content of a matter, apart from emotional, contextual, or formal considerations.

intransitive verb

To earn; deserve. synonym: earn.