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

Not having the investment strategies, solutions, technologies and resources clients expect can be a disservice to clients and derail a relationship. — Shehab Mohammad, Forbes.com, 6 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

That, however, does a disservice to the steel and desire shown by Spain, who are now both European and world champions, and also to the Argentine ability to lock in under pressure and produce when that gets turns up. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 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