What does meritoriousness mean?
Meritoriousness is an abstract noun meaning the quality of deserving praise, credit, or reward. It is most often used of conduct, work, achievements, or service whose value is recognized even when no formal distinction accompanies it. Because the word combines “meritorious” with the suffix “-ness,” it names a quality rather than an act or reward: a person’s meritoriousness is what makes an effort commendable. In ordinary use, meritoriousness is formal and relatively uncommon, especially compared with the shorter and more flexible noun merit. It nevertheless has a useful emphatic force, presenting worthiness as admirable rather than merely adequate. The term often appears in institutional, legal, historical, or ceremonial contexts, where careful wording helps distinguish genuine public benefit from routine duty. Its relative rarity makes it more noticeable in formal or literary prose than in everyday conversation.
nounThe quality or state of being meritorious, especially of conduct, work, achievements, or service deserving praise or reward.
- The quality of deserving praise, credit, or reward, especially as a characteristic of conduct, work, achievements, or service.
"The committee recognized the meritoriousness of her many years of public service."
"The committee recognized the meritoriousness of her many years of public service."
"Despite its rarity, the medal was presented in acknowledgment of the meritoriousness of the work."
The plural is grammatically possible but rare in ordinary use.
"The report documented the different meritoriousnesses of the two proposals."
Meritoriousness names not the reward itself, but the quality that makes recognition deserved.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does meritoriousness come from?
English borrowed the adjective meritorious from Latin meritorius, meaning “deserving of reward or praise,” which was based on meritus, the past participle of mereri, “to earn or deserve.” Meritoriousness was formed within English by adding the noun suffix “-ness” to meritorious. Its more immediate relatives include merit, meritocracy, merited, and meritless.
How meritoriousness is actually used
Formal and relatively uncommon. It is usually treated as an abstract, mass noun, although a plural is possible in formal or highly specific contexts.