disservice

[dis-sur-vis]

noun

1. harmful or injurious service; an ill turn.

   Synonyms: unkindness, injury, harm, hurt, wrong

verb (used with object)

disserviced, disservicing 

1. to provide inadequate or faulty service to.

   Small shippers are most often disserviced by transportation breakdowns.

disservice

/ dɪsˈsɜːvɪs /

noun

1. an ill turn; wrong; injury, esp when trying to help

Other Word Forms

• self-disservice noun
• disserviceable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disservice¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; dis- ¹ + service ¹

Example Sentences

Compartmentalizing the tale, however, feels like a disservice to a much broader tragedy.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s doing such a disservice to history, and it’s doing a disservice to the future of Ohio,” she added.

From Salon

Sweeney is good, even when the leaden dialogue does her a disservice.

From Los Angeles Times

I think doing a late-night show that makes everyone feel bad is a disservice.

From Los Angeles Times

And by focusing on this powerful but narrow idea of recovery, we do a disservice to individual survivors and our collective good.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• injustice