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

The regular-season TV voice of the Knicks, as well as ABC and ESPN’s main play-by-play hoops voice, recently noted that the NBA’s awarding of first-round video rights to Prime Video, which basically took the early round away from local broadcasters, was a disservice to fans. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026

Don’t do yourself a disservice and make the West Indies right before guests arrive. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026

Curating a false narrative through a highlight reel life does a disservice to those who are trying to learn from your path, not just admire the outcome. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2026

In a broader sense, FIU faculty say acceding to Tallahassee would set a dangerous precedent and be a disservice to students. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 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