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
  • Contrary to Trump’s understanding of leadership, empathy doesn’t equate to weakness but to strength.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, the company expects future models to discover weaknesses that remain unknown today.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • Their usefulness will depend on reliable navigation, robust fault responses and effective coordination between onboard systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, this fault lies with the core of Netflix’s business model.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of fault
Noun
  • Confession is looked at as some kind of sin and it’s associated with shame.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Lamb, who was once floated for the service’s top job, treats his current position as a kind of penance for past sins, both for himself and for his underlings.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Conversations with my replacement confirmed that local physicians were frustrated with Theranos over these shortcomings and communicating with our laboratory about them.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • For residents, the reservoir nonetheless remains a painfully visible symbol of the city’s shortcomings.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 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
  • The coaster’s most recent inspection, on March 16, reported no violations, deficiencies, citations or red tags, according to King.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Other diseases that cause similar symptoms and findings include lupus, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and less common conditions like neuromyelitis optica and MOG antibody disease.
    — Lindsay Karp, STAT, 23 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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