as in weaknesses
a defect in character
my keyboarding has the advantage of speed but the demerit of inaccuracy
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Recent Examples of demerits
Restaurants with over 30 demerits are required to fix the worst issues immediately and remedy the rest within 48 hours.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
As a do-it-all shoe, however, the SL Evo has two major demerits.
—Scott Douglas, Outside, 12 Nov. 2025
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
As a do-it-all shoe, however, the SL Evo has two major demerits.
—Scott Douglas, Outside, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demerits
Noun
-
To actually take stock of the strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This past week showcased the strengths of carrots and the weaknesses of sticks.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Maybe the mere fact of having been born illustrious, with no apparent faults, with nothing to prove or to be ashamed of, had liberated John from the resentments the rest of us feel, and from the cunning and ambition such resentments fuel.—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Zayante and San Andreas faults are considered to be faults that pose the most serious shaking threats in the Santa Cruz County area, according to county officials.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Their sins will be washed away by the waters of liberty.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Whatever Heidegger’s political sins, his philosophy restores a clarity our therapeutic culture fears.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Johnnies thrive on messy, on disruptive pressure that limit possessions to compensate for what is ordinarily their own offensive shortcomings.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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Harris’ death underscores growing concerns about the risks of riding small, low-speed electric vehicles and the shortcomings of the user agreements riders have with the companies that rent them.—
Hope Moses,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demerits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demerits. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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