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
Scores are based on a demerit system.
—
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 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
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 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
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But some analysts say Iran's unprecedented weakness at home could diminish the flexibility of its country's leadership to make the kinds of compromises necessary for a deal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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But ask anyone who knows him about Kuechly’s weaknesses, and the first thing that might come up is his deflection of praise.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Part of the fault for the spinal injury lay with Tipping, who chose not to wear safety headgear before taking part in the training, McGuire argued.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Sam and his fellow pilot were partially blamed for the crash in litigation filed by the families of the passengers against the airlines, the FAA and the Army, though the NTSB has not found the plane crew to be at fault.—
Emma Hurt,
AJC.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Once chewed up by the machine of expectation and found guilty of the eternal athletic sin of having too much talent too soon, Liu has since learned how to spit back rather than be spit out.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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According to Time and Date, palm leaves symbolize victory and joy among many Christians in the United States, as Jesus died on the cross for the sins of others.—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Jagged shards of memory shown in flashbacks suggest Laura’s fear and vulnerability as a young girl (played by the filmmakers’ daughter Eliz Mundruczó), alongside indications of narcissistic, at times violent Ivan’s shortcomings as a parent.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
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Its only real shortcoming is that not all the actors are at McShane’s level, and as Catherine, Angela Scoular unfortunately lacks the range to keep up with her Heathcliff.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Unpredictable funding from Congress compounds these failings.—
Marc Scribner,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
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The report claimed these changes were made to minimize the city and fire department’s failings.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Your tall tree did well to grow to 30 years of age but is now showing signs of maybe greening disease, trunk decline and nutrient deficiency in an accompanying email photo.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
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For example, whitish nails might indicate a vitamin deficiency or liver disease.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demerit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demerit. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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