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

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez opposed the measure, arguing that having fewer public forums is a disservice to constituents, who would have less time to meaningfully engage with their representatives. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

But Kennedy does them—and the hospital—a disservice, Leslie argued. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026

Having the musicians out of sight keeps the audience in the moment, but with music so integral to the production, keeping them unseen even at curtain call may be a disservice. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

But giving him a national platform without confronting his record does a disservice to viewers and to the people of Illinois. — Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 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