demerit
/diːˈmɛrɪt/
noun
- A fault or disadvantage; a negative quality or feature.
- The main demerit of living in the city is the noise.
- Every system has its merits and demerits.
- One demerit of the plan is its high cost.
- A mark against someone for poor performance or bad behavior, especially in a school or military setting.
- Accumulating too many demerits can lead to detention.
- The teacher gave her a demerit for talking during the test.
- He received a demerit for being late to class.