Thesaurus: demerit

Related headwords

Definitions

1. n. That which one merits or deserves, either of good or ill; desert.
2. n. That which deserves blame; ill desert; a fault; a vice; misconduct; -- the opposite of merit.
3. n. The state of one who deserves ill.
4. n. To deserve; -- said in reference to both praise and blame.
5. n. To depreciate or cry down.
6. v. i. To deserve praise or blame.
7. n. a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces
8. n. the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection
9. 1. That which one merits or deserves, either of good or ill; desert. [Obs.] By many benefits and demerits whereby they obliged their adherents, [they] acquired this reputation. Holland. 2. That which deserves blame; ill desert; a fault; a vice; misconduct; -- the opposite of Ant: merit. They see no merit or demerit in any man or any action. Burke. Secure, unless forfeited by any demerit or offense. Sir W. Temple. 3. The state of one who deserves ill. 1. To deserve; -- said in reference to both praise and blame. [Obs.] If I have demerited any love or thanks. Udall. Executed as a traitor . . . as he well demerited. State Trials (1645). 2. To depreciate or cry down. [R.] Bp. Woolton. To deserve praise or blame.
10. n:100 n. a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces n. the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection