Definition as Noun

• the quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance)
• any admirable quality or attribute

Definition as Verb

• be worthy or deserving

• deservingness, meritoriousness

• virtue

• deserve

• "there were many children whose deservingness he recognized and rewarded"

• "work of great merit"

• "You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done"

• Merit vs deservingness
• Merit vs meritoriousness
• Merit vs virtue
• Merit vs deserve