merytorycznym

Merytoryczny is a Polish adjective used to describe matters relating to the substance, content, or merits of something, as opposed to its form, procedure, or process. The instrumental singular form merytorycznym is used with masculine nouns in that case, for example: z merytorycznym argumentem, na merytorycznym poziomie. The term is common in discussions, evaluations, and decisions to indicate substantive considerations.

In practice, merytoryczny is widely used in legal, administrative, academic, and public discourse. A distinction is often made between rozstrzygnięcie merytoryczne (a decision on the merits) and rozstrzygnięcie formalne (a decision on procedure). The word also appears in phrases such as ocena merytoryczna (substantive assessment) or treść merytoryczna (substantive content). In journalism and debate, describing an argument as merytoryczny signals that it rests on facts, evidence, and logical analysis rather than rhetoric or procedural arguments.

Etymology and form: merytoryczny derives from the root meryt-, tied to the Latin meritum (merit) through Polish linguistic development and the standard adjectival suffix -yczny. The term reflects a focus on the substantive aspects of a topic, case, or inquiry.

Notes: merytoryczny contrasts with terms emphasizing form or process, such as proceduralny or formalny. The related noun forms include merytoryczność (substantiveness) and merytoryka (substantive content) in some contexts.