as in weakness
a defect in character
my keyboarding has the advantage of speed but the demerit of inaccuracy
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Recent Examples of demerit
That’s a demerit for journalists covering the Games, many of whom typically venture from sport to sport and venue to venue to report on the event’s full scope.
—
Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Sunday staged the offense’s damning demerit.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The merit and demerits of the notes above should be pretty obvious.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Dec. 2025
Tickets for inattentive driving also result in four demerit points on your record.
—Jacob Wilt, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demerit
Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Sunday staged the offense’s damning demerit.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The merit and demerits of the notes above should be pretty obvious.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Dec. 2025
Tickets for inattentive driving also result in four demerit points on your record.
—Jacob Wilt, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demerit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demerit
Noun
-
The president's endorsement didn't clear the GOP crowded field to replace Greene — some observers cast that as a sign of weakness — but Fuller easily overcame other Republican contenders.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Some policy defenders contend that the labor market weakness reflects adjustments to immigration restrictions rather than fundamental economic failure, positioning this as a deliberate policy choice rather than an economic failure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Xcel Energy Colorado's Andrew Holder, director of community relations and local government affairs, explained that devices known as re-closers trip when there are power line faults.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Traditional mechanical breakers take milliseconds to interrupt a fault, a brief but dangerous window where an arc flash, or dangerous, high-temperature electrical explosion, can occur.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To soak up the sins of the early morning dancefloor, kudos must be paid to the 24-hour room service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The country had yet to hold the first Marcos to account for plunder and human-rights abuses, and this election seemed an exoneration of both his and Rodrigo Duterte’s sins.—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Tua’s shortcomings Tagovailoa never possessed the frame, the arm, or the athleticism.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Perhaps Edwards is right that the exit had more to do with Liverpool’s strengths than with Wolves’ shortcomings.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Reporters here and across the nation routinely request public records to illuminate systemic failings, abuse and corruption across all levels of government.—
Katie Moore,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The narrators have soft spots for various failings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But, then again, this has been a season largely defined by how queens’ deficiencies can become strengths.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Getting backed down by Dončić was only one piece of an embarrassing bloodbath for the Bulls that highlighted every facet of this team’s defensive deficiencies.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demerit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demerit. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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