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

And he acknowledged that “the place has many great advantages, among the foremost, of course, being Climate, and but a single drawback, which, however, is an extremely serious one — that of water shortage.”

From Los Angeles Times

One drawback she'd discovered was that her matches weren't always close by – she'd had dates travel from hours away to meet up.

From BBC

But, as Agnes learns, turning trauma into an amorphous entity has its drawbacks, too.

From Salon

And although the streaming boom has had its drawbacks, it has also unearthed and popularized worthy cult classics, giving them a new life and the long-deserved veneration they deserve.

From Salon

Nevertheless, they argued that the drawbacks of masking exceeded the benefits.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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