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

• dereliction
• failing
• fault
• foible
• frailty
• shortcoming
• sin
• vice
• want
• weakness

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

The principal has an elaborate new security system installed with facial-recognition technology cameras positioned throughout the school, allowing for miscreant students to be identified and slapped with demerit points. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2024

If the students slipped up, they were given demerits or forced into the closet as punishment. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2024

In the demerits column, an excess of pilot-episode exposition, several characters who let their ridiculous costumes do the talking, and that line about the toad and the lightning. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 26 July 2024

Fort Worth inspection scores are based on a demerit system. —Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 July 2024

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

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