Merit - Crossword Clue, Answer and Explanation

'merit' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)

This is the entire clue.

(Other definitions for earn that I've seen before include "Acquire by ones' effort" , "Obtain (money) in return for labour or services" , "Gain by effort (4)" , "Merit through work or effort" , "Take home" .)

I've seen this clue in the Penny Press, The Sunday Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Times, the LA Times, the Universal, the USA Today, The Mirror, The Daily Mail, The Irish Independent, the Evening Standard, The Star Tribune, the Newsday, The Guardian, The Independent, The New York Times and The Telegraph.

'merit' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

This is the entire clue.

(Other definitions for warrant that I've seen before include "Authorise, justify" , "Document giving authority" , "Merit, justify" , "Permit for arrest, search of premises, etc" , "Guarantee" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald, the LA Times, The Sun, The Mirror, The Irish Independent, the Evening Standard, The Star Tribune, The Independent and The Telegraph.

'merit' is the definition.
(I know that merit can be written as deserve)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for deserve that I've seen before include "Merit, earn" , "Justify" , "rate" , "Be worth" , "Merit (something)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald, the LA Times, The Sun, The Mirror, The Irish Independent, the Evening Standard, The Star Tribune, The Independent and The Telegraph.

Merit (4)