Merit

n.capable, thoughtfulprofessional

Meaning 1

A good quality or feature that gives something genuine worth.

Reach for it when recognizing a specific strength without claiming the whole proposal or person is flawless

The plan's chief merit is that residents can operate it without outside support.

everyday
good point
when one valid feature or argument deserves informal credit
not when The phrase is casual and may sound faint in a formal evaluation.
professional
advantage
when a feature improves one option relative to another
not when An advantage can be self-serving or accidental and need not deserve praise.
professional
asset
when a useful quality contributes value to a person or organization
not when Asset can commodify a person and does not necessarily concern moral or intellectual merit.
professional
strength
when one favorable feature should be identified clearly
not when Strength can mean power or resilience without conferring worth.
formal
virtue
when a quality is morally good or especially beneficial
not when Virtue can moralize a practical design advantage.

The quality of deserving serious consideration, approval, or reward.

Reach for it when evaluating whether an idea, claim, or piece of work warrants recognition

The committee agreed that the smaller proposal had enough merit for a trial.

everyday
value
when usefulness or importance is the intended claim
not when Value can be monetary and may not imply excellence.
professional
quality
when the standard of work or construction is being judged
not when Quality is broad and can be good or poor without context.
professional
substance
when an idea has real content beyond presentation
not when Substance does not by itself show that the content is good.
formal
deservingness
when qualification for recognition or reward is the exact question
not when The abstract noun sounds bureaucratic and can hide contested criteria.
formal
worth
when overall value or deservingness is central
not when Worth can sound like a judgment of a person's total value.

have merit
Both suggestions have merit, but they solve different problems.
considerable merit
The apprentice's design has considerable merit despite its rough finish.
main merit
The tool's main merit is that every part can be replaced locally.
judge on merit
Entries are judged on merit against criteria published in advance.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.