disfavor

especially British, dis·fa·vour

[dis-fey-ver]

noun

1. unfavorable regard; displeasure; disesteem; dislike.

   The prime minister incurred the king's disfavor.

2. the state of being regarded unfavorably; disrepute.

   The fashions of one year are in disfavor the next.

3. a disadvantageous or detrimental act; disservice.

   The pianist did himself a disfavor in trying to sing.

verb (used with object)

1. to regard or treat with disfavor.

Other Word Forms

• disfavorer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disfavor¹

First recorded in 1525–35; dis- ¹ + favor

Example Sentences

“I am very concerned that these actions are meant to punish disfavored dissent,” said Brian Levin, founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino.

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Since leaving office, he said, he has learned more about the U.S. government’s tactics against disfavored groups in the 1960s and ’70s.

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Sullivan, the court found that government officials “cannot attempt to coerce private parties in order to punish or suppress views that the government disfavors.”

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Avoid inviting commencement speakers disfavored by the Trump administration?

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He said the case “presented an issue of great importance for our nation’s youth: whether public schools may suppress student speech because it expresses a viewpoint the schools disfavor.”

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Related Words

• disapprobation 
• disapproval 
• dislike 
• displeasure 
• dissatisfaction