meritocratic
gb/mˈɛɹɪtəkɹˈætɪk/ us/mˈɛɹɪtəkɹˈætɪk/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
based on merit and ability
A meritocratic system gives success or rewards to people who do well or have ability, not to people with money, family status, or connections.
Usage pattern:
meritocratic [system/society/process/culture]; more/less meritocratic
Common mistake:
Do not confuse meritocratic with democratic; meritocratic is about ability and achievement, not voting.
Synonyms
merit-based (A close, slightly plainer synonym, often used for decisions or systems.)
|
ability-based (Emphasizes talent or skill more than effort or achievement.)
|
performance-based (Used especially when rewards depend on measurable results.)
Antonyms
nepotistic (Based on favoritism toward family or personal connections.)
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privilege-based (Based on social advantage rather than individual merit.)
|
hereditary (Based on birth or family inheritance rather than achievement.)
Collocations
meritocratic system
|meritocratic society
|meritocratic culture
|meritocratic process
|meritocratic admissions
|meritocratic workplace
|meritocratic values
|meritocratic ideal
|meritocratic principles
|genuinely meritocratic
Themes
society
|politics
|education
|business
|work
Examples
- The company describes its promotion process as meritocratic, but personal connections still matter.
- In a meritocratic education system, students are judged mainly on achievement rather than family income.
- Critics argue that supposedly meritocratic societies often ignore unequal starting points.
Learner examples
- She wants a more meritocratic workplace.
- The school tries to be meritocratic.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
supporting merit-based social principles
A meritocratic idea supports the belief that people should succeed because of talent and hard work.
Usage pattern:
meritocratic [ideal/argument/view/principle/rhetoric]
Common mistake:
Meritocratic usually describes systems, principles, or arguments; for a person, it is often more natural to say they believe in meritocracy.
Synonyms
merit-based (Less ideological and more practical in tone.)
|
egalitarian (Related when opposing inherited privilege, but egalitarian stresses equality more than merit.)
Antonyms
elitist (Suggests support for rule or privilege by a select social group rather than open competition.)
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aristocratic (Suggests status based on noble birth or inherited rank.)
Collocations
meritocratic ideal
|meritocratic belief
|meritocratic argument
|meritocratic view
|meritocratic rhetoric
|meritocratic principles
|meritocratic ideology
Themes
society
|politics
|ideology
|education
Examples
- The speech presented a strongly meritocratic view of education and opportunity.
- Her argument was meritocratic: jobs should go to the most qualified candidates, not the best-connected ones.
- The novel questions the meritocratic ideal that hard work alone determines success.
Learner examples
- He believes in meritocratic principles.
- The policy uses meritocratic language.
Grammar
Dictionary form
meritocratic
IPA
GB/mˈɛɹɪtəkɹˈætɪk/
US/mˈɛɹɪtəkɹˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
mer - ito - crat - ic (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mer)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: meritocratic
- Comparative: meritocraticer
- Superlative: meritocraticest
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.