merit

Noun

• the quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance)
  • there were many children whose deservingness he recognized and rewarded
    

• any admirable quality or attribute
  • work of great merit
    

Verb

• be worthy or deserving
  • You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  deservingness , meritoriousness , virtue , deserve
• Antonyms: 
  demerit , fault