downside

noun

down·​side ˈdau̇n-ˌsīd 

1

: a downward trend (as of prices)

2

: a negative aspect

the downside of fame

Synonyms

• debit
• disadvantage
• disbenefit
• drawback
• handicap
• incommodity
• liability
• minus
• negative
• strike

Examples of downside in a Sentence

He could find no downside to the car.

the downside of living in the country is, of course, the long commute to work

Recent Examples on the Web

Our findings, along with research from related fields, provide guidance on how to reduce the downsides of perfectionism while harnessing its potential benefits. —Esade Business & Law School, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

Any wisdom gleaned from short-form life advice videos sits on a balance with these potential downsides. —Eliza Brooke, Vox, 23 May 2025

Not to mention, future science could also lead to an entirely different analgesic that functions better and with fewer downsides, Dr. Espey points out. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 21 May 2025

The downsides are that DEET smells awful, is oily, and can damage anything with plastic in it, like synthetic clothing and camping gear. —Kristin Canning, Wired News, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing downside

• on the downside

Rhymes for downside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied