demerit

noun

de·​mer·​it di-ˈmer-ət How to pronounce demerit (audio)
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

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
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.
The keyboard’s trademark shallow key travel remains the same, which is a demerit for heavy-handed typists like myself but should delight light-touch Mac users who prefer little to no resistance when typing. PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 Along with receiving 40 demerits, Donlen had to pay fifty cents as his share of the damage. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Aug. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for demerit 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of demerit was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near demerit

Cite this Entry

“Demerit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demerit. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

demerit

noun
de·​mer·​it di-ˈmer-ət How to pronounce demerit (audio)
1
: a quality that deserves blame : fault
2
: a mark placed against a person's record for some fault or offense

More from Merriam-Webster on demerit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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