demerit

noun

di-ˈmer-ət How to pronounce demerit (audio)
Definition of demeritnext
as in weakness
a defect in character my keyboarding has the advantage of speed but the demerit of inaccuracy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demerit Kimi maxed out on demerits for handling of user data for training, while Copilot scored worst for direct handling of personalized data. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026 Lord’s had not previously accumulated any demerit points; the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have 14 days to appeal against the ICC’s sanction. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 9 June 2026 The biggest demerit on season 27 would be the White Locust twist. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026 After a long ride to Maryland in a honey vat, Garth is able to sneak Daisy back inside the school with only a demerit for smoking. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for demerit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demerit
  1. weakness
  2. fault
  3. sin
  4. shortcoming
  5. failing
  6. deficiency
Noun
  • Uruguay's secularism has roots in the weakness of its colonial church.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Google DeepMind researchers have used AI agents to discover cryptographic techniques that expose weaknesses in legacy RSA encryption up to 1,600 times faster than previous methods.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • The changes are aimed at preventing mechanical wear and electrical faults that could take the robot offline.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • For a curator not to take the venue seriously as an interlocutor is a fault that could overwhelm even very strong work.
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of fault
Noun
  • Some would argue that Paxton’s sins are more exotic than those of your ordinary Texan.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Just before the Devil drawing is a churchman’s confession of a lengthy list of sins.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • The bottom line is what Giannis Antetokounmpo is good at far outweighs the shortcomings.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026
  • OpenAI acknowledged these shortcomings as areas for improvement.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of shortcoming
Noun
  • In the documentation, the company is candid about its failings.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of failing
Noun
  • Ferritin levels can fall before haemoglobin levels, meaning someone can have iron deficiency without yet developing anemia.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The researchers also saw the effect in mice with type 2 diabetes and severe insulin deficiency.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of deficiency

Browse Nearby Words

dementia
demerit
demerits
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Cite this Entry

“Demerit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demerit. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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