Commendation (5)
(Other definitions for merit that I've seen before include "Worth; deserve" , "Just deserts" , "The M in OM" , "Good point or quality" , "distinction" .)
'commendation' is the definition.
(I know that praise is a type of commendation)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for praise that I've seen before include "Approve and commend" , "Worship, glorify" , "Speak approvingly of" , "Acclaim, commend" , "Extol, laud" .)
'commendation' is the definition.
(I know that commendation can be written as approval)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for approval that I've seen before include "endorsement" , "Ratification" , "Official consent, authorisation" , "Confirmation" , "Go-ahead" .)