downside

noun

down·​side ˈdau̇n-ˌsīd How to pronounce downside (audio)
Synonyms of downsidenext
1
: a downward trend (as of prices)
2
: a negative aspect
the downside of fame

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The only downside to this was the restriction of her freedom. Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 At the same time, the downsides of the Spanish boom show just how precarious these sorts of gains can be. Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026 The upside is that the AI might give better advice, while the downside is that advice might be shaped to undermine humankind. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Somehow, the dupe can see no possible downside! Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for downside

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downside was in 1905

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Cite this Entry

“Downside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downside. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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