[{"Bold_text": "noun", "List Items": ["claim to respect and praise; excellence; worth.Synonyms: esteem , value", "something that deserves or justifies a reward or commendation; a commendable quality, act, etc.:The book's only merit is its sincerity.", "merits,the inherent rights and wrongs of a matter, as a lawsuit, unobscured by procedural details, technicalities, personal feelings, etc.:The case will be decided on its merits alone.", "Oftenmerits.the state or fact of deserving; desert:to treat people according to their merits.", "Roman Catholic Church.worthiness of spiritual reward, acquired by righteous acts made under the influence of grace.", "Obsolete.something that is deserved, whether good or bad."]}, {"Bold_text": "verb (used with object)", "List Items": ["to be worthy of; deserve."]}, {"Bold_text": "verb (used without object)", "List Items": ["Chiefly Theology.to acquire merit."]}, {"Bold_text": "adjective", "List Items": ["based on merit:a merit raise of $25 a week."]}]