The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word DEMERIT
D
E
M
E
R
I
T
More clues leading to the result DEMERIT
- In getting up fast, I remedy fault
- French reputed to be holding back army unit in desert as before
- Something shameful done in uprising, the speaker admitted
- Fault of French and Italian blocking me on river
- Entire media, on reflection, admitting fault
- French said to be holding back army unit in desert as before
- Self-absorbed. Tried to correct this fault
- Short signal about flipping engineers finding fault
- Wrongly tried me for fault
- Fed up, turned myself in, showing weakness
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "weakness" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case weakness = demerit.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DEMERIT mean?
DEMERIT noun- A quality of being inadequate; a fault; a disadvantage
- A mark given for bad conduct to a person attending an educational institution or serving in the army.
- That which one merits or deserves, either of good or ill; desert.
- To deserve.
- To depreciate or cry down.