as in disadvantage
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success
the downside of living in the country is, of course, the long commute to work
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Recent Examples of downside
Wet foods have two major downsides.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
While the upside in business can be limitless, so can the downside, Wayne added.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
The only downside is having to choose a place to start.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Alongside the lower costs, Danielle and Russell have experienced downsides to living in Crete.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downside
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
While the upside in business can be limitless, so can the downside, Wayne added.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
The only downside is having to choose a place to start.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Alongside the lower costs, Danielle and Russell have experienced downsides to living in Crete.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downside
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downside
Noun
-
However, there are disadvantages which include lack of job protection and insufficient wages that cover don’t on-the-job expenses.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
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Bias asks whether the system perpetuates, amplifies, or introduces systematic disadvantage, including through feedback loops where biased outputs reinforce biased inputs.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
There is one handicap accessible Deluxe Suite.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Despite its handicaps, Western analysts and officials say Ukraine has in recent months recorded battlefield successes against Russia’s bigger army, disrupting a spring offensive started by Russia amid improving weather, as fields dry out and new foliage on tree lines offers more cover.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Under eclipses, artifacts will also be corrupted and have drawbacks that can be cleansed by beating the world’s Overlord.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
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The key to making the right decision for your situation is understanding how the process works, what influences the outcome and whether the potential benefits outweigh the drawbacks in your circumstances.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downside.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downside. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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