merit respect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merit respect" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing the qualities or actions that deserve respect. Example: "His dedication to helping others truly merits respect from the community."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Whether they do or do not merit respect for their erudition, they certainly are easy targets for the mean-spirited.

The New York Times - Style

The unassuming date could also merit respect for providing a pair of tidy bookends in the United States labor movement.

The New York Times

The Vatican said the dismissal had nothing to do with Charamsa's reflections on his personal life, which it said "merit respect".

The Guardian

It was not that Alexa seemed human, exactly, or evoked the operating system voiced by Scarlett Johansson in the film Her, but that it – she – seemed to merit respect.

The Guardian - Tech

The scorn was founded on the notion that the dismal state of the Soviet economy had left Gorbachev with "no choice but to cut military spending," as William Safire wrote in The Times, &that since he had to do the things he had done they didn't merit respect.

The New Yorker

But [regular starters] [Aiden] McGeady and [Damien] Duff merit respect".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"[Rezaian] is an experienced, knowledgeable reporter who deserves protection and whose work merits respect".

The Guardian

Her forthright statements to the media, and her accentuated make-up, did not make her popular with the orthodox middle classes, who viewed her as a woman not meriting respect.

The Guardian

Critical opinion was mixed; John J. O'Connor wrote in The New York Times that despite its silly moments, "this great, lumbering production, pulled together with extraordinary determination by Dan Curtis, merits respect".

The New York Times - Books

Achilles is then forced to learn about death, first by the death of his compatriot Patroclus (who seems an unacknowledged lover), then by accepting his own fate, and finally, by recognizing that even his worst enemy merited respect: Hector's body could no longer be dragged around, tied to Achilles' chariot.

The New York Times

Furthermore she used David Hume's History of England (1754 62) to contend that England's laws were the product of historical contingency and insisted that only those institutions that could withstand the scrutiny of reason and be shown to be in conformity with natural rights and God's justice merited respect and obedience.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merit respect", consider the context. While grammatically correct, alternatives like "deserve respect" may sound more natural to contemporary ears.

Common error

Avoid using "merit respect" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "deserve respect" or "earn respect" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merit respect" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating that someone or something possesses qualities or has performed actions that make them worthy of admiration or consideration. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, alternative phrasing might be more common in contemporary usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "merit respect" is less common in contemporary English compared to alternatives like "deserve respect". Ludwig AI suggests that it can sound overly formal, especially in informal contexts. The phrase appears mostly in news, media and scientific sources. When writing, consider the context and audience when choosing between "merit respect" and its more common alternatives to ensure the most natural and impactful phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserve respect

Focuses on the idea of being worthy of respect, a direct synonym.

warrant respect

Emphasizes the justification for receiving respect, implying a validation of worth.

earn respect

Highlights the effort or actions taken to gain respect, suggesting a process.

be worthy of respect

Directly states the quality of deserving respect, a more formal phrasing.

command respect

Suggests an inherent quality that compels respect, implying authority or presence.

be entitled to respect

Implies a right or justified claim to respect, often based on status or position.

rate respect

Indicates a level or degree of respect that is appropriate, often in comparative contexts.

call for respect

Emphasizes the need or demand for respect in a particular situation.

justify respect

Highlights the reasons or evidence that support the granting of respect.

bear respect

Suggests that something inherently carries the quality that should cause respect to be shown.

FAQs

What does "merit respect" mean?

To "merit respect" means to deserve or warrant respect due to one's qualities, actions, or position. It indicates that someone or something has earned the right to be admired or taken seriously.

Which is more common, "merit respect" or "deserve respect"?

"Deserve respect" is generally more common in contemporary English. While "merit respect" is grammatically correct, it can sound slightly more formal or less frequently used in everyday speech and writing. Consider using "deserve respect" for a more natural tone.

What are some alternatives to "merit respect"?

Alternatives include "deserve respect", "warrant respect", "earn respect", or "be worthy of respect". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

How can I use "merit respect" in a sentence?

You can use "merit respect" to express that someone or something deserves respect. For example: "His dedication to public service truly merits respect from the community." However, in most cases, you could also replace the phrase with "deserve respect".