demerit

noun

de·​mer·​it di-ˈmer-ət 

dē-, 

-ˈme-rət

1

obsolete : offense

2

a

: a quality that deserves blame or lacks merit : fault, defect

b

: lack of merit

3

: a mark usually entailing a loss of privilege given to an offender

Synonyms of demerit

• weakness
• fault
• sin
• shortcoming
• failing
• deficiency

Examples of demerit in a Sentence

Students are given demerits if they arrive late for classes.

my keyboarding has the advantage of speed but the demerit of inaccuracy

Recent Examples on the Web

But in a movie that’s worth a meatier discussion, this prof (played by the auteur Eva Victor) gets a demerit for class planning. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026

Tarrant County health inspections function on a demerit system. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026

Negative externalities resulting from the consumption of demerit goods can be seen in the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on others. —Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

The MacBook Neo’s most significant demerit is its connectivity suite. —Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French demerite, from Medieval Latin demeritum, from neuter of demeritus, past participle of demerēre to be undeserving of, from Latin, to earn, from de- + merēre to merit

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for demerit

• inherit
• preterit
• buret
• carat
• ferret
• garret
• karat
• merit
• parrot
• disinherit

Kids Definition

demerit

noun

de·​mer·​it di-ˈmer-ət 

1

: a quality that deserves blame : fault

2

: a mark placed against a person's record for some fault or offense