drawback

American  

[draw-bak] / ˈdrɔˌbæk /

noun

1. a hindrance or disadvantage; an undesirable or objectionable feature.

2. Commerce. an amount paid back from a charge made.

3. Government. a refund of tariff or other tax, as when imported goods are reexported.

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drawback British  

/ ˈdrɔːˌbæk /

noun

1. a disadvantage or hindrance

2. a refund of customs or excise duty paid on goods that are being exported or used in the production of manufactured exports

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verb

1. to retreat; move backwards

2. to turn aside from an undertaking

Etymology

Origin of drawback

First recorded in 1610–20; noun use of verb phrase draw back

Example Sentences

“A potentially serious drawback to a joint will is that once one of the spouses dies, the other can’t make changes to it, no matter how necessary,” she adds.

From MarketWatch

In 2014, California became the first state in the country to regulate education technology companies directly, but being first comes with its drawbacks.

From Los Angeles Times

While this "has to be a good thing" when it comes to helping the driver see clearly, Harrow says, it has also resulted in "unplanned drawbacks" - including dazzling other road users.

From BBC

Yet most of them are mentioned more often by their colleagues to describe their drawbacks and flaws than to talk up their suitability.

From BBC

The drawback of these places is that they tend to have higher costs of living.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• defect
• deficiency
• difficulty
• disadvantage
• failing
• fault
• flaw
• hindrance
• hitch
• impediment
• imperfection
• inconvenience
• obstacle
• shortcoming
• snag
• stumbling block
• weakness