Deserves (6)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">deserves</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('merit' can be a synonym of 'deserve')</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for merits that I've seen before include "Legally right or wrong" , "Deserves to be praised" , "Deserves or warrants" , "Deserves, is worthy of" , "Virtues of timers" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">deserves</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for earns that I've seen before include "ready for work?" , "Grosses" , "Acquires by effort" , "makes money" , "Gains by work" .)