2 syllables: Mer, it. Stress on Mer.
MER-uht
/ˈmɛɹət/
Merit is pronounced MER-uht (/ˈmɛɹət/). It has two syllables (Mer-it), with the stress on "Mer". Merit is a noun meaning the quality of being particularly good or worthy and, in legal contexts, a just claim or inherent worth. It can refer to the value or importance of something, such as the merit of an argument, or to rewards earned on the basis of achievement. In some contexts it also denotes the basis for judgment or assessment.
nounMerit is a noun meaning the quality of being particularly good or worthy and, in legal contexts, a just claim or inherent worth. It can refer to the value or importance of something, such as the merit of an argument, or to rewards earned on the basis of achievement. In some contexts it also denotes the basis for judgment or assessment.
"The committee praised the candidate for her merit and dedication."
"The judge ruled that the case had insufficient merit to proceed."
"We evaluated the project on its merit rather than its popularity."
Merit is pronounced /ˈmɛr·ɪt/ in General American and /ˈmer.ɪt/ in many UK varieties, with primary stress on the first syllable. Begin with a bilabial /m/ sound, move to a short mid-front vowel /ɛ/ as in 'bed,' then a light /r/ if your dialect uses rhoticity, and finish with a crisp /ɪt/ or a short /ɪ/ followed by a released /t/. If you’re listening, try a slow pronunciation: /ˈmɛ-rɪt/. Audio examples: you can compare with native sources on Pronounce or Forvo for precise mouth positions.
Common errors include using a reduced vowel in the first syllable (say /mərɪt/ like in 'her it'), introducing an unnecessary secondary stress, or landing an excessive /t/ release at the end. Some speakers also insert an extra syllable or mispronounce the /r/ in non-rhotic accents. Correction tips: keep the first syllable stressed with /ɛ/, avoid vowel reduction to /ə/, and produce a clean, single /t/ with a short, crisp release. Practice with minimal pairs such as merit vs. mean it to keep vowel quality distinct.
In General American, /ˈmɛrɪt/ with rhotic /r/ and a clear /t/. In non-rhotic UK varieties, you’ll often hear /ˈmɛrɪt/ with a weaker or non-pronounced /r/ depending on speaker, but many speakers still articulate /r/ in careful speech. Australian English tends to feature a flat vowel in /ɛ/ with a light, clipped /t/, sometimes sounding closer to /ˈmærɪt/ depending on speaker. Overall, the most noticeable difference is rhoticity and vowel quality in the first syllable.
The difficulty stems from the short, tense /ɛ/ vowel in stressed first syllable and the staccato /t/ at the end, which can be unreleased in rapid speech. Non-native speakers may also misplace the stress or blur the /r/ in American and some UK accents. Mastery requires accurate mouth shaping for /m/, the short /ɛ/ vowel, a precise /r/ (if rhotic), and a crisp /t/. Listening and mimicry with native speech helps solidify these details.
Is the final /t/ in 'merit' ever silent in fast speech? In careful, standard speech, the final /t/ is typically released as a voiceless alveolar stop /t/. In very rapid speech or certain dialects, you may hear a glottal stop or a lightly released /t/ near the vowel, especially before another consonant or at the end of a phrase. For clarity, maintain a light, crisp release in formal contexts.
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Merit comes from Old French merit, from Latin meritum, meaning a value, merit, or what is owed, from mereri ‘to earn, deserve,’ from mere ‘to earn, deserve’ (from Latin mereri). The word entered Middle English via Old French in the late medieval period, initially referring to what someone deserved or was owed, and gradually expanding to denote the intrinsic worth or deserving quality of something. Historically, merit has taken on both abstract senses (the merit of an argument, a person’s merit) and practical senses (merit-based rewards). The term has influenced related idioms such as “on merit,” “meritocracy,” and “meritorious.” First known usage in English appears in the 14th-15th centuries, but exact earliest attestation is in legal and scholastic Latin-to-French-to-English translations during medieval scholarly and administrative contexts. Over time, merit shifted from a transactional sense (what is deserved) to a broader evaluative sense (the inherent value or worth of something).
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Merit" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Merit" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Merit"
-rit sounds
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