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1. Rightfully earned, e.g. because of hard work or skills demonstrated
   "a merited success";
   - deserved, well-earned

1. Be worthy of or entitled to, e.g. because of hard work or skills demonstrated
   "You merit a promotion after all the hard work you have done";
   - deserve

See also: condign, hard-won

Type of: be

Antonym: unmerited

Encyclopedia: Merit, Texas