Meritorious, a.
Etymology: [L. meritorius that brings in money.]
Possessing merit; deserving of reward or honor; worthy of recompense; valuable. And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonized, and worshiped as a saint. Shak. -- Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists meritorious only as an antonym, under criminal.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given