[noun] [C] - a fault or disadvantageWe need to consider the merits and demerits of the plan.(US) A demerit is a mark given to someone, esp. a student in a school, because they have done something wrong or broken a rule.She got three demerits for lateness on this term's report.
DEMERIT
Meaning of DEMERIT in English
Cambridge English vocab. Кембриджский английский словарь. 2012