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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
  • But ironically, this crowd-pleaser’s chief weakness is its approach to the dancing.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Another source of industrial’s underperformance is recent weakness in defense stocks, a core group influencing the sector’s strength, according to DataTrek.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • The Duke of Sussex’s speech was marred by a fault with the teleprompter, forcing him to complete it in two halves.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Recently, Qnetic completed its first 100 continuous charge-discharge cycles with zero faults or degradation, a key indicator of its reliability.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of fault
Noun
  • While some newly prominent groups (such as those who later became known as Quakers) emphasized love, fellowship and justice, some members of other sects (like the Presbyterians) created new fears, new sins, new tests and new punishments.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • While Ferns prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu was in the sin-bin for head contact that forced off Marlie Packer, England bulldozed New Zealand's seven-women scrum for Breach to score her 58th try.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • But where Hwan’s Christianity is a willful, grotesque misreading of the Bible, Latif actively wrestles with his moral shortcomings.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Head coach Jeff Hafley, who also doubles as the defensive playcaller, intends on pulling out all the stops to address the defense’s pass-rushing shortcoming.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of shortcoming
Noun
  • These reported failings include understaffing, undertrained employees, and failure to listen to parental concerns, the BBC reported at the time.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Sussman is inclined to see such preferences as further evidence of capitalism’s moral failings.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of failing
Noun
  • The American Society of Hematology recently set new standards for diagnosing iron deficiency.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities confirmed that the deficiencies identified during the permitting process had been addressed.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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