/
ˌmɛrɪˈtɔːrɪəs/
adj.
  - deserving reward or praise.
 - Law,  chiefly N. Amer. (of an action) likely to succeed on the merits of the case.
 
Derivative
- meritoriously adv.
  - meritoriousness n.
 
Etymology
ME: from late L. meritorius (from merit-, mereri ‘earn’) + -ous.