merited
Rightly came due
Merited means deserved or earned: The criticism was merited.
Something merited has been justified by actions or circumstances—merited praise, merited punishment, merited recognition.
The word carries a sense of proportionality: what was received matched what was warranted.
Shown to be right
- warrantedProperly justified or sanctioned
- earnedGained by effort
- entitledHaving rightful claim
- rightfulLegally or morally valid
due · fitting · proper · appropriate · fair · owed · equitable · deserving
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- rewardPayment for service
- outcomeFinal result of events
- resultWhat follows a cause
repercussion · recompense · retribution · justice · comeuppance · reckoning · due · fate
Deserving approval or admiration
- admirableDeserving high regard
- laudableDeserving of recognition
- commendableWorthy of approval
- exemplaryServing as ideal model
honorable · respectable · estimable · creditable · distinguished · virtuous · noble · deserving
High regard, moral dignity
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- creditRecognition or payment deferral
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
award · tribute · praise · commendation · applause · kudos · laurels · acclaim
Successful completion of aim
- successFavorable outcome attained
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- featRemarkable act of skill
- victoryDefeating an opponent
attainment · milestone · breakthrough · realization · fulfillment · completion · conquest · capstone
justified
Shown to be right
rightful · due · fitting · proper · appropriate · fair · owed · equitable · deserving · legitimate
punishment
Penalty for an offense
result · repercussion · recompense · retribution · justice · comeuppance · reckoning · due · fate · payback
praiseworthy
Deserving approval or admiration
- admirableDeserving high regard
- laudableDeserving of recognition
- commendableWorthy of approval
exemplary · honorable · respectable · estimable · creditable · distinguished · virtuous · noble · deserving · reputable
honor
High regard, moral dignity
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- creditRecognition or payment deferral
distinction · award · tribute · praise · commendation · applause · kudos · laurels · acclaim · ovation
accomplishment
Successful completion of aim
victory · attainment · milestone · breakthrough · realization · fulfillment · completion · conquest · capstone · crowning
- fairnessfair play, fair shake, fair treatment, fair and square, fair share
- moral judgmentsgood, evil, wicked, virtuous, moral
meritedunmerited
Not rightfully due
undeserved · unearned · gratuitous · undue · arbitrary
meritedunwarranted
Without adequate justification
unjustified · unjustifiable · unsubstantiated · groundless · baseless
meritedunmerited
Not rightfully due
undeserved · unearned · unwarranted · unjustified · gratuitous
- merit badgesAwards for learned skills
- merit-based hiringEmployment by qualification alone
- relative merits
- on its meritsBy inherent value alone
- artistic meritCreative work's quality
- merit systemAdvancement based on ability
merit, merits, demerit, meriting, meritorious, emeritus, unmerited, demerits, meritocracy