meritorious
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “meritorious” mean?
adjective.deserving reward or praise.
SAT Usage
the term frequently appears in contexts involving ethics, achievements, or discussions of moral character, emphasizing actions or qualities that are commendable and worthy of recognition. It suggests a higher standard of worthiness compared to similar words like "praiseworthy," which may not inherently imply the same level of moral or ethical merit.
Common Confusions
Meritorious implies a deserving of recognition based on ethical standards and accomplishments, while praiseworthy usually suggests simply being worthy of praise without the same moral weight.
Do not choose meritorious if the context emphasizes failure or lack of achievement rather than deserving reward or praise.
Example Sentences
-
The policeman received the Award of Meritorious Service from his grateful department.