merit

Superior quality or worth; excellence.

A quality deserving praise or approval; virtue.

Demonstrated ability or achievement.

An aspect of character or behavior deserving approval or disapproval.

In various religions, spiritual credit granted for good works.

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

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

To earn; deserve. synonym: earn.