disservice

noun

dis·​ser·​vice (ˌ)di(s)-ˈsər-vəs 

: ill service : harm

also : an unhelpful, unkind, or harmful act

misinformation that does a disservice to readers

Synonyms of disservice

• injustice
• wrong

Examples of disservice in a Sentence

Her comments were a disservice to those volunteers.

you do a great disservice to the professionals at the day-care center when you refer to them as “babysitters”

Recent Examples on the Web

Insider tip Don’t leave without a browse of the boutique, though calling it that feels like doing it a disservice. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

What The Delay Actually Moved The reporting on the delay has seemingly done readers a disservice by not giving enough scope about what was delayed. — Kuan Archer, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

The Tribune Editorial Board did a disservice to those Americans who want to improve public services and have just taxes on the uber-wealthy, by confusing them with the DSA. — Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Naturally, a mixed bag of comments flooded the page, and Schroeder may have done herself a disservice by scanning them all. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disservice

• preservice
• interservice
• nervous
• nervus

Kids Definition

disservice

noun

dis·​ser·​vice (ˈ)dis-ˈ(s)ər-vəs 

: an unhelpful, unkind, or harmful act

behavior that did a disservice to the sport