disfavor

American  

[dis-fey-ver] / dɪsˈfeɪ vər /

especially British, disfavour

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to regard or treat with disfavor.

Other Word Forms

• disfavorer noun

Etymology

Origin of disfavor

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

Example Sentences

That harm is firmly anchored in a branch of privacy law that has long been recognized, but has fallen into disfavor in recent years.

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2026

Once a former U.S. ally, Noriega fell into disfavor after engaging in electoral fraud.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

But many individual investors also have the ability to press the eject button on stocks that they disfavor, all on their own.

From New York Times • May 11, 2024

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

While some great naturalists still praised her books, she fell into disfavor with a scientific establishment that increasingly rejected the work of self-taught amateurs.

From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman

Related Words

• disapprobation
• disapproval
• dislike
• displeasure
• dissatisfaction