Meaning & use
with merit
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phraseformal
deserving praise or recognition because of good quality or effort
Grammar: Often follows a noun: a pass with merit, a degree with merit.
Patterns
- pass with merit
- awarded with merit
She passed the exam with merit, earning a special certificate.
He completed the course with merit and was offered a scholarship.
phrasefixed phraseformal
based on the actual quality of someone's work, not on other advantages
Grammar: Used to describe fair judgment or selection.
Patterns
- judged with merit
- selected with merit
The applications were judged with merit, ignoring personal connections.
Promotions should be given with merit, not favoritism.
Common combinations
- pass with merit
- She passed the final exam with merit.
- degree with merit
- He earned a degree with merit in economics.
- awarded with merit
- The prize was awarded with merit to the best project.
- judged with merit
- The competition was judged with merit by independent experts.
Synonyms and how they differ
- with distinction
- Suggests an even higher level of achievement, often above merit.
- deservedly
- Focuses on fairness rather than on official recognition.
Opposites
Word family
- merit noun
- A good quality that deserves praise.
- meritorious adjective
- Deserving reward or praise.
Commonly confused: with merit or with merit?
with merit vs with merit
Not the same as 'with honors', which is used in American English for a higher grade.
Practice
In which context is 'with merit' most commonly used?
Choose one answer.
'With merit' is used for achievements like exam results. The other contexts do not involve recognition of quality.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “with merit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.