disfavor
Americannoun
-
unfavorable regard; displeasure; disesteem; dislike.
The prime minister incurred the king's disfavor.
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the state of being regarded unfavorably; disrepute.
The fashions of one year are in disfavor the next.
-
a disadvantageous or detrimental act; disservice.
The pianist did himself a disfavor in trying to sing.
verb (used with object)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disfavor
Explanation
When you disapprove of someone, you disfavor them. The wicked stepmother in "Cinderella" favored her own daughters but disfavored poor Cinderella. Thank goodness for that glass slipper. You probably know your parents well enough that it's perfectly obvious when you've fallen into their disfavor. This probably only means they're annoyed or angry at you, although in some cases disfavor can mean true dislike. You can also use this word as a verb: "The political system disfavors people who don't have much money."
Vocabulary lists containing disfavor
"American Names"
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Dislike, List 2
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Dislike
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The program singles out a list of industrial facilities for disfavor, setting a low threshold for the permitting requirements to kick in.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
“Hamilton was so in disfavor when he died that he was just in the wilderness,” says Vaill.
From Slate ● Oct. 21, 2025
That requires service members of all ranks to be apolitical, deferential, obedient, compliant, and silent, whatever the circumstances and without expectation of compensatory favor or disfavor.
From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2023
“Why would we read the Constitution to disfavor real property, though?” he asked.
From New York Times ● Apr. 26, 2023
He would never have done that if not for Reynie’s urging, and now it had put him into disfavor with Mr. Curtain.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
