demerit

American  

[dih-mer-it] / dɪˈmɛr ɪt /

noun

1. a mark against a person for misconduct or deficiency.

   If you receive four demerits during a term, you will be expelled from school.

2. the quality of being censurable or punishable; fault; culpability.

3. Obsolete. merit or desert.

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demerit British  

/ diːˈmɛrɪt, ˈdiːˌmɛrɪt /

noun

1. something, esp conduct, that deserves censure

2. a mark given against a person for failure or misconduct, esp in schools or the armed forces

3. a fault or disadvantage

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Other Word Forms

• demeritorious adjective
• demeritoriously adverb

Etymology

Origin of demerit

1350–1400; Middle English (< Old French desmerite ) < Medieval Latin dēmeritum fault, noun use of neuter past participle of Latin dēmerēre to earn, win the favor of ( dē- taken in ML as privative, hence pejorative). See de-, merit

Example Sentences

International Cricket Council referee Jeff Crowe is yet to deliver his assessment of the pitch, pondering whether to give it an "unsatisfactory" rating which would see the venue slapped with a demerit point.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

As well as the fine, Kohli incurred one demerit point, but is free to play the fifth and final Test in Sydney next month.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2024

Yet his job review has never included a bonus for a player being called up to the majors or a demerit when someone comes up short.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2024

Companies also point to the higher cost of raw materials as a demerit.

From Reuters • Sep. 22, 2022

Her first demerit, a first at the Arcanum she'd never wanted to experience.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton