1. a mark against someone’s record for poor behavior or performance
Usage: often used in schools or military contexts
2. a fault or disadvantage

Examples

• The student received a demerit for talking during class.
• Three demerits in one week would result in detention.
• The soldier was given demerits for being late to formation.
• One demerit of this plan is its high cost.
• The proposal has several merits but also some significant demerits.
• Teachers track both merits and demerits in their grade books.
• The main demerit of the new policy is its complexity.