drawback
1 of 2noun
draw·back ˈdrȯ-ˌbak 
1
: a refund of duties especially on an imported product subsequently exported or used to produce a product for export
2
: an objectionable feature : disadvantage
The plan's only drawback is its cost.
draw back
2 of 2verb
drȯ-ˈbak
drew back; drawn back; drawing back; draws back
intransitive verb
: to avoid an issue or commitment
Synonyms
Noun
- debit
- disadvantage
- disbenefit
- downside
- handicap
- incommodity
- liability
- minus
- negative
- strike
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The trip sounds great, but cost is a major drawback. this plan has only one drawback: it's unworkable
Recent Examples on the Web
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2022 The only slight drawback (though likely not a dealbreaker) is that the speaker volume is low. Harry Rabinowitz, Popular Mechanics, 3 Sep. 2022 One major drawback: It definitely can’t be put in the dishwasher, which does make cleaning it a bit of an extra chore. Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 Cons: Difficult installation is the biggest drawback. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 12 Aug. 2022 The biggest drawback is the BEA’s delays in releasing GO two months after the initial estimates of GDP. Mark Skousen, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 Of course, the biggest drawback to this simulation method is that while the human can move up and down or back and forward, motion to the left or right is impossible, since the length of the cable would have to change. Wired, 31 July 2022 The biggest drawback, though, is missing out on the benefits of over-the-counter and prescription-strength skin care that speeds up cell turnover. Fiona Embleton, Allure, 14 June 2022 The length alone is probably the biggest drawback to Season 4. Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 May 2022 See More
Noun
Another drawback, experts say, is that the A.I. required a finite list of possible sound snippets to choose from, rather than coming up with the correct answer from scratch. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2022 The only slight drawback (though likely not a dealbreaker) is that the speaker volume is low. Harry Rabinowitz, Popular Mechanics, 3 Sep. 2022 One major drawback: It definitely can’t be put in the dishwasher, which does make cleaning it a bit of an extra chore. Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 Cons: Difficult installation is the biggest drawback. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 12 Aug. 2022 The biggest drawback is the BEA’s delays in releasing GO two months after the initial estimates of GDP. Mark Skousen, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 Of course, the biggest drawback to this simulation method is that while the human can move up and down or back and forward, motion to the left or right is impossible, since the length of the cable would have to change. Wired, 31 July 2022 The biggest drawback, though, is missing out on the benefits of over-the-counter and prescription-strength skin care that speeds up cell turnover. Fiona Embleton, Allure, 14 June 2022 The length alone is probably the biggest drawback to Season 4. Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1572, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
drawback
noun
draw·back ˈdrȯ-ˌbak
: an unwanted feature or characteristic
My only drawback is that I look something like a mouse. E. B. White, Stuart Little
E. B. White, Stuart Littledrawbacks
noun
as in disadvantages
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success this plan has only one drawback: it's unworkable Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disadvantages
- downsides
- shortcomings
- liabilities
- handicaps
- minuses
- negatives
- disbenefits
- debits
- obstacles
- strikes
- incommodities
- disabilities
- hurdles
- failings
- impairments
- impediments
- hindrances
- albatross
- obstructions
- millstones
- embarrassments
- interferences
- hitches
- strangleholds
- lets
- albatrosses
- rubs
- shackles
- clogs
- manacles
- trammels
- catches
- stops
- crimps
- checks
- bars
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- advantages
- pluses
- assets
- edges
- plusses
- vantages
- margins
- privileges
- controls
- starts
- leads
- opportunities
- jumps
- superiorities
- drops
- prerogatives
- commands
- betters
- help
- aids
- head starts
- breaks
- transcendences
- predominances
- supremacies
- ascendencies
- ascendancies
- upper hands
- masteries
- assistances