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.
—
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 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
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Each flour has its strengths and weaknesses.—
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Ultimately, my goal is to give form to the unspoken and the unseen, and to remind viewers that vulnerability, emotion and inner complexity are not weaknesses but shared human experiences.—
Noun
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Wind turbines are particularly vulnerable to fire caused by lightning strikes or electrical faults.—
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For Southern California, that means clearer insight into how faults behave between earthquakes.—
Noun
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That, plus the lack of talent and cap space thanks to the sins of the Deshaun Watson contract, for which general manager Andrew Berry was somehow spared, makes life difficult for whatever quarterback(s) start for the Browns in 2026.—
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Yet what elevates the show is its focus on gender relations and atoning for the sins of the past, adding layers of depth beyond its lurid plotting and somewhat ridiculousness.—
Noun
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In a division where technical shortcomings can be bridged by physical output, Aaronson is the pin-up boy.—
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When evaluating the defensive shortcomings from this past season, Schottenheimer has pointed at the lack of takeaways multiple times.—
Cite this Entry
“Demerits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demerits. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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