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

Those have their drawbacks but can be useful for someone who does not have a lot of cash.

From MarketWatch

There are clear scenarios in which the benefits of using a VPN far outweigh any drawbacks.

From Salon

Colvin acknowledges that this type of historical market analysis has some drawbacks.

From MarketWatch

Choosing one place to live in forever will inevitably have its drawbacks, even if the idea is sold as paradise, and deciding between two great loves will always leave someone heartbroken.

From Salon

A divided committee, missing data and a whiff of stagflation present a choice between two paths—each with drawbacks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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