How Do You Spell DEMERITS?

Pronunciation: [dˈɛməɹˌɪts] (IPA)

The word "demerits" is spelled with three syllables: /dɪˈmɛrɪts/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound as in "did". The second syllable has a schwa sound, which is the unstressed vowel sound often heard in weakly pronounced syllables such as "a" in "sofa". The third syllable begins with an emphasized "r" sound followed by a short "i" sound and ends with a "ts" sound. "Demerits" refers to a mark or point for doing something wrong.

DEMERITS Meaning and Definition

  1. Demerits refer to the negative aspects or consequences of someone's behavior, actions, or traits, typically used to assess their faults or shortcomings. It represents the opposite of merits, which are positive qualities or advantages possessed by an individual.

    In various systems of evaluation, demerits play a key role in determining and measuring deficiencies, poor performance, or misconduct. For instance, in educational settings, demerits can be assigned to students for violating rules, not completing assignments, or displaying disruptive behavior. These demerits might accumulate over time and can have repercussions such as academic penalties, restrictions, or disciplinary actions.

    Demerits can also be associated with traffic violations when one breaks the laws or regulations of the road. They can result in the deduction of points from one's driving record, fines, compulsory driving courses, or even the suspension of a driver's license. These demerits are meant to deter reckless or irresponsible behavior and ensure safer road conditions.

    In a broader context, demerits can also refer to the flaws, drawbacks, or limitations of a particular system, policy, or proposal. When analyzing any subject, it is important to consider both the merits and demerits to have a comprehensive understanding of its advantages and disadvantages.

    Overall, demerits serve as indicators of shortcomings, faults, or negative consequences associated with individuals, behaviors, or systems and are crucial in the evaluation, assessment, and improvement of various aspects of life.

Top Common Misspellings for DEMERITS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEMERITS

Etymology of DEMERITS

The word "demerit" originated from the Late Latin word "dēmerēre", which is derived from the combination of the prefix "dē-" (meaning "down" or "away") and the Latin word "merēre" (meaning "to earn" or "to deserve"). In the 15th century, it entered Middle English as "demeret" or "demerite", which meant "fault" or "blame". Over time, it evolved into the plural form "demerits", specifically referring to individual points or marks subtracted as a penalty for error, misconduct, or negligence, particularly in the context of education or disciplinary systems.

Similar spelling words for DEMERITS

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