merit-based
Based on accomplishment
Merit-based describes systems or decisions where outcomes depend on demonstrated ability, achievement, or qualifications rather than connections, wealth, or other factors: merit-based scholarships, merit-based hiring.
The term often appears in debates about fairness—advocates see it as rewarding talent and effort, critics argue it can mask systemic advantages that shape who appears "meritorious."
Advancement through demonstrated ability
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- equalitySame status for all
- opportunityFavorable circumstance for advancement
- deservingWorthy of reward
earned · achievement · reward · effort · talent · justice · egalitarian · elitism
Higher education institution
- universityHigher education institution
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- GPACumulative academic score
- SATCollege admissions exam
ACT · grades · academic · holistic · affirmative action · legacy · selectivity · applicant
Giving someone work
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- qualificationsProof of competence
- credentialsEvidence of qualification or identity
- performanceCarrying out a task
competence · skills · interview · resume · talent · advancement · workplace · nepotism
meritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- equalitySame status for all
- opportunityFavorable circumstance for advancement
deserving · earned · achievement · reward · effort · talent · justice · egalitarian · elitism · privilege
college
Higher education institution
- universityHigher education institution
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- GPACumulative academic score
SAT · ACT · grades · academic · holistic · affirmative action · legacy · selectivity · applicant · transcript
hiring
Giving someone work
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- qualificationsProof of competence
- credentialsEvidence of qualification or identity
performance · competence · skills · interview · resume · talent · advancement · workplace · nepotism · favoritism
- fairnessfair play, fair shake, fair treatment, fair and square, fair share
- allocation methodslottery, quota, rationing, first come first served, random selection
- immigrationimmigrant, immigrants, visa, refugee, citizenship
- admissionsapplication, acceptance letter, admissions, application deadline, admissions committee
- fair playfair chance, fair shake, respect, fair treatment, honesty
- hiringhiring, job, interview, resume, application
merit-basednepotistic
Showing favoritism toward relatives
hereditary · arbitrary · cronyism · favoritism · birthright
merit-basedaristocratic
Of hereditary nobility
feudal · class-based · dynastic · inherited · egalitarian
merit-basedegalitarian
Equality principle supporter
affirmative action · redistributive · participatory · universal · socialist
merit, base, based, basing, bases, baseball, baseline, basement, baseless