Meritless

USAGE SUMMARY

"meritless" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that lacks merit or value, often in a legal or evaluative context. Example: "The lawsuit was dismissed as meritless." Alternative expressions include "groundless" and "baseless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He signed it into law in 2003, capping non-economic damages in medical lawsuits, and signed a follow-up this year, which makes people who lose meritless lawsuits liable for their opponent's legal bills.Many contend that Mr Perry has not been as fiscally prudent as he claims.

The Economist

In papers made public on Tuesday, Take-Two responded calling her claim "so legally meritless that it lacks any good-faith basis and can only have been filed for publicity purposes".

Independent

The game's publisher recently branded the lawsuit "so legally meritless that it lacks any good-faith basis and can only have been filed for publicity purposes".

Independent

Twitter said in a statement that the claims "are meritless" and that it intends to "fight them".

Independent

Grand Theft Auto V publisher Take-Two Interactive has dismissed Lindsay Lohan's lawsuit as a bid to get attention, branding it "legally meritless".

Independent

This can make her seem likably roguish and honest – which of us has not lost our hearts to something that our heads know to be meritless trash, or sustained contradictory opinions on a complicated issue?

Independent

The affirmative-action claim turned out to be meritless.

The New Yorker

The President does not say that he or his lawyers think that the constitutional argument is a bad argument — i.e., that, in their opinion, it is actually meritless, constitutionally or substantively.

The New Yorker

Just two of the C.E.S. lawyers had billed the election-equipment company for twenty-seven hundred hours' work on the case — about fifteen working months — and Haden re-billed this to the plaintiffs, on his judgment that, despite the fact that an earlier judge had ruled the case not frivolous, it was "meritless".

The New Yorker

The lawsuit in the Amazon is meritless, Mastro assured me — Donziger was merely "out to make a buck".

The New Yorker

Judge Young rightly found that "a meritless defense" with "the sole purpose of embarrassing the decedents' families".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meritless", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the lack of value or substance being described. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim that something is "meritless".

Common error

Avoid using "meritless" in casual conversation. It is more suited for formal writing and legal or professional discussions where a critical assessment is required.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "meritless" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing something as lacking value, substance, or justification. Ludwig examples show its use primarily in the context of lawsuits, claims, and arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meritless" functions as an adjective signifying a lack of value or substance, commonly applied to arguments, claims, or lawsuits. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, with the field "aiResponseStatus" from Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness. While "meritless" is frequently used, consider related phrases like "groundless" or "baseless" for nuanced expression. Ludwig shows that it's best suited for formal writing and should be avoided in casual conversation to prevent sounding overly critical or stiff. Top sources like The New York Times contribute to its authoritative usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Without merit

More literal and straightforward; directly states the absence of merit.

Groundless

Emphasizes the lack of a factual basis or foundation.

Baseless

Similar to 'groundless', stressing the absence of any supporting evidence.

Unfounded

Suggests that the claim or idea has no reasonable basis or justification.

Without substance

Highlights the lack of meaningful content or importance.

Worthless

Indicates a complete lack of value or usefulness.

Empty

Implies a lack of significance or sincerity.

Vain

Suggests futility or a lack of real impact.

Futile

Highlights the ineffectiveness or pointlessness of something.

Insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "meritless" in a sentence?

You can use "meritless" to describe something that lacks value or substance, often in a formal or legal context. For example, "The judge dismissed the case as "meritless"."

What are some alternatives to "meritless"?

Alternatives include "groundless", "baseless", "unfounded", or "worthless", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say a claim is "meritless"?

Yes, it is correct. "Meritless" is often used to describe claims or arguments that lack merit or a sound basis.

What's the difference between "meritless" and "frivolous"?

"Meritless" simply means lacking merit, while "frivolous" implies that something is not only without merit but also lacks seriousness or has a lack of purpose. A frivolous lawsuit is considered a "meritless" lawsuit that is also intended to waste the court's time.