drawback

[draw-bak]

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.

drawback

/ 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

verb

1. to retreat; move backwards

2. to turn aside from an undertaking

Word History and Origins

Origin of drawback¹

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

Example Sentences

Editor’s note: In this Future View, students discuss the benefits and drawbacks of videogames.

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In an interview with MarketWatch he described how some of their drawbacks have been left unchallenged and risks understated.

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These and other alternative data sources have their drawbacks—they often only cover a small share of the labor force and using them to estimate the state of the broader job market can be tricky.

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What are the potential benefits and drawbacks to allowing a legal pathway for experimental treatments?

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What are the potential benefits or drawbacks for consumers as more regional banks pursue a strategy of consolidation?

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Related Words

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