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The rarer but equally useful opposite of "merit," "demerit" is a fault or a flaw. It's a pretty general term. Could you recall a specific word for someone's tragic flaw: that is, a fault that ultimately leads to that person's destruction?
make your point with...
"DEMERIT"
Merit, or a merit, is something deserving praise.
Demerit, or a demerit, is something deserving blame or criticism. In other words, a demerit is a fault or a flaw: some quality that makes something less desirable, less valuable, or less useful.
Pronunciation:
dih MAIR it
Part of speech:
Noun.
It's both a countable noun ("a demerit," "two demerits," "lots of demerits")
and an uncountable noun ("the demerit," "some demerit," "absence of demerit").
Other forms:
The plural is "demerits,"
and the adjective is "demeritorious" (just like its opposite, "meritorious").
("Demerit" is also a verb, but it's rare.)
How to use it:
Often a "demerit" is a mark or point that you get as a minor punishment for bad behavior: "racking up demerits for tardiness."
But we'll focus on more general usage: talk about something's demerit(s) or someone's demerit(s): "the theory's many demerits," "it has the demerit of being new and untested," "I do know my own demerits."
Also, when you want to say "pros and cons" but that's too informal for your context, and when "advantages and disadvantages" sounds too clunky, use the phrase "merits and demerits."
examples:
When I do writing lessons with kids, we always start by looking at a composition's merits before addressing its demerits.
I'm sure I'm ignorant of many of my own demerits--my family tolerates them with such tact and patience.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "demerit" means when you can explain it without saying "thing that deserves criticism" or "blameworthy characteristic."
try it out:
Think of something that's mostly enjoyable or mostly effective, and fill in the blanks: "The only demerit of _____ is/was _____."
Example: "The only demerit of this novel is that it leaves unresolved the most interesting subplot."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
Well-Named Creatures:
Some names for animals and other creatures define themselves instantly or after a brief moment’s thought: anteater, grasshopper, hummingbird, seahorse, octopus (eight-foot). But other names deserve some exploration; they hold hidden clues about what the animals look like or what they do. And sometimes the names reveal how baffled people were when they first caught a glimpse of the creatures and tried to name them. This month, I’ll give you the literal meaning of a creature's name, and you come up with what it is. Answers will appear in alphabetical order this month. (Oh, and the answers might be animals, birds, insects, or even extinct creatures.) Enjoy!
From yesterday: "He (who) scratches with the hands" is a r______.
Answer: It's a raccoon, whose name comes from Algonquian.
Try this one today: A "nose-horned" creature is a r______.
review today's word:
1. One opposite of DEMERIT is
A. PLAN
B. BENEFIT
C. DRAWBACK
2. _____ may not be a demerit on your college application if _____.
A. A high grade point average .. your essay is dull
B. Poor penmanship .. you're applying to a school that requires handwritten paperwork
C. A dearth of extracurricular achievements .. it's clear that you work to support your family
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. B
2. C
The rarer but equally useful opposite of "merit," "demerit" is a fault or a flaw. It's a pretty general term. Could you recall a specific word for someone's tragic flaw: that is, a fault that ultimately leads to that person's destruction?
"DEMERIT" Merit, or a merit, is something deserving praise. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
When I do writing lessons with kids, we always start by looking at a composition's merits before addressing its demerits.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "demerit" means when you can explain it without saying "thing that deserves criticism" or "blameworthy characteristic."
Think of something that's mostly enjoyable or mostly effective, and fill in the blanks: "The only demerit of _____ is/was _____."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. One opposite of DEMERIT is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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