meritorious

Worthy of commendation

Meritorious means deserving praise or reward for merit or worth: meritorious service, a meritorious act.

The word carries a formal, often official tone—appearing in military commendations, legal contexts, and academic citations.

Something meritorious has earned recognition through genuine achievement rather than luck or favoritism.

praiseworthy

commendable

Worthy of approval

laudableDeserving of recognition
admirableDeserving high regard
praiseworthyDeserving approval or admiration

creditable · estimable · deserving · acknowledgment · recognition · accolade · commendation · tribute · honor · distinction

virtuous

noble

Titled or virtuous

honorableHaving high moral standards
uprightVertical or morally sound
righteousMorally good, justified

ethical · principled · moral · worthy · decent · good · respectable · reputable · blameless · conscientious

exemplary

outstanding

Exceptionally good or unpaid

exceptionalNotably above the norm
excellentOf superior quality
superiorHigher in rank

distinguished · illustrious · preeminent · model · ideal · benchmark · standard · paragon · superlative · noteworthy

deserving

worthy

Deserving respect or esteem

entitledHaving rightful claim
qualifiedMeeting necessary standards
earnedGained by effort

justified · due · rightful · fitting · appropriate · warranted · suitable · eligible · valid · proper

Categories

superlativesexcellent, superb, best, outstanding, supreme
positive wordsyes, good, great, excellent, wonderful
skill levelsbeginner, novice, intermediate, expert, advanced
uprightupright, erect, vertical, perpendicular, standing

Opposites

moral worth and praiseworthiness

meritoriousblameworthy

Deserving of censure

reprehensible · dishonorable · shameful · disgraceful · censurable

Phrases

meritorious servicePerformance warranting commendation

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G