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demerit Definition

de·merit (dē mer′it, di-)

noun

  1. a quality deserving blame; fault; defect
  2. lack of merit
  3. ☆ a mark recorded against a student, trainee, etc. for poor conduct or work

Etymology: ME & OFr demerite < ML demeritum, fault < pp. of demerere, to forfeit, not merit, with meaning altered (de- taken in negative sense) < L, to merit < de-, intens. + merere, to deserve

demerit Synonyms

demerit

n.

fault, mark against one, bad mark, loss of points, loss of credit, loss of distinction; see also defect 2, punishment.

demerit Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • proposal: I make no comment here, nor did I previously, on the merits or demerits of the merger proposal.
  • option: This document discusses the merits and demerits of six options for revising its advice.

Modifies a noun

  • point: Inspections of food premises are conducted regularly and demerit points are assigned for all requirements violated.

Browse dictionary entries near demerit

  1. ‹ Demerara (sugar)
  2. ‹ Demerara
  3. ‹ dementia praecox
  4. ‹ dementia
  5. ‹ demented
  6. ‹ dement
  7. ‹ demeanor
  8. ‹ demean
  9. ‹ deme
  10. ‹ Demavend
  1. Demerol ›
  2. demersal ›
  3. demesne ›
  4. Demeter ›
  5. demi- ›
  6. demigod ›
  7. demijohn ›
  8. demilitarize ›
  9. demilitarized zone ›
  10. demimondaine ›