Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Merit \Mer"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Merited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Meriting}.] [F. m['e]riter, L. meritare, v. intens. fr.
   merere. See {Merit}, n.]
   1. To earn by service or performance; to have a right to
      claim as reward; to deserve; sometimes, to deserve in a
      bad sense; as, to merit punishment. ``This kindness merits
      thanks.'' --Shak.

   2. To reward. [R. & Obs.] --Chapman.

Source : WordNet®

merited
     adj : properly  deserved; "a merited success" [ant: {unmerited}]