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

"Focusing on THC on the label can actually do a disservice for consumers, because it creates an environment in which people buy based solely on THC content," said Bidwell.

Read more on Science Daily

“Using the same term for individuals who are non-speaking and cannot care for themselves and for individuals who are college professors makes no sense, and does a disservice to all,” he says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I can win or lose by thousands of a second in every race so unless I can give 100%, I'm doing myself a disservice."

Read more on BBC

You could continue to use your inheritance to pay the bills of your uncle’s widow, but that would do a disservice to your grandmother, who wished to help you.

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• injustice