Démérite

Démérite is a term used to describe a disciplinary sanction or negative evaluation attached to a person’s conduct or performance. It represents the opposite of merit and indicates that a fault or deficiency has been observed. In some organizational systems, démérites are recorded as a formal mark or note and may be assigned to students, members, or employees as a consequence of misconduct or underperformance. Depending on the context, a démérite can be accompanied by concrete consequences such as restricted privileges, extra work, or disciplinary measures.

Étymology and usage notes: the word démérite derives from the privative prefix de- combined with mérite, the latter related to value or credit and ultimately tracing back to Latin meritum. The term appears mainly in formal or institutional language and is less common in everyday French, where terms like sanction, blâme, or punition are often preferred. In some settings (schools, clubs, military or scouting organizations), the concept may be implemented through a points system, where points de démérite accumulate and influence future privileges or standings.

Context and scope: démérite is typically used to describe negative evaluations within a structured discipline framework. Its exact meaning and consequences vary by institution, country, and tradition. In contemporary French, writers and officials may opt for more common phrases such as sanction disciplinaire or blâme, reserving démérite for historical, legalistic, or highly formal contexts.

See also: mérite, sanction, blâme, punition.