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drawback

drawback

50 3.4
A thing that makes something less good or useful
  • noun
  • /ˈdrɔˌbæk/
translation icon : desventaja
  • This layout does come with some drawbacks, the most obvious one being the lack of windows.
  • a major drawback
  • benefits and drawbacks
  • one drawback

However, there are some serious drawbacks to this approach.

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Examples

  • That's the one drawback of living in London.

  • There will always be drawbacks to an approach like this.

  • You can say, OK, well, this is the drawback and here is the benefit.

  • But you know, a drawback is it does still take some time.

  • The only drawback is, only two can play.

  • However, it did have one drawback: it had no bar; only beer and wine were served.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • So that is really the big drawback with those different fuels.

  • A good choice of property; its only drawback is its ugly appearance.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • However, there are some serious drawbacks to this approach.

  • One major drawback of the plan is that it will require significant funding.

Synonyms

defect
vsdrawback
150 3.4

A fault that makes something less useful or valuable

is broader covering nontechnical issues that reduce acceptability
downside
vsdrawback
131 3.6

A bad part of something that is usually good

focuses on features that make something less acceptable or effective
shortcoming
vsdrawback
69 3.7

A weakness that makes a person or thing less effective

covers weaknesses that lower acceptability or usefulness
hindrance
vsdrawback
21 5.7

A thing that makes it difficult to do something, like an injury or traffic

is a feature that reduces acceptability rather than only blocking progress
weak point
vsdrawback
12 3.0

A part of a person or thing that is not strong and can cause problems

refers to any trait that makes something less acceptable or effective
minus
vsdrawback
5 3.8

A bad point or feature of something

is used when the aspect reduces acceptability or effectiveness

Antonyms

2.8

Something that helps a person do better than others

How Serious

deal-breaker
  • Informal
30 3.7
handicap
17 4.1
drawback
50 3.4
disadvantage
108 2.9
inconvenience
107 4.3

Surface Forms

drawback singular
drawbacks plural

Morphology

drawback = draw (semi-transparent) = back + draw

The components 'draw' and 'back' are identifiable, but the meaning 'disadvantage' is idiomatic and not a straightforward compositional result for learners. [Postprocessing: moved 'back' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

The word drawback comes from the parts draw ('pull') and back ('toward the rear'). Imagine an anchor or rope that pulls you back and stops you moving forward, so a drawback is a feature that makes something less good or a real disadvantage.