drawback

1 of 2

noun

draw·​back ˈdrȯ-ˌbak 

1

: a refund of duties especially on an imported product subsequently exported or used to produce a product for export

2

: an objectionable feature : disadvantage

The plan's only drawback is its cost.

draw back

2 of 2

verb

drȯ-ˈbak 

drew back; drawn back; drawing back; draws back

intransitive verb

: to avoid an issue or commitment

Synonyms of drawback

Noun

• disadvantage
• handicap

Examples of drawback in a Sentence

Noun

The trip sounds great, but cost is a major drawback.

this plan has only one drawback: it's unworkable

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Opening as the first establishment in the area has had its perks and drawbacks, according to Elmore. — Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Both strategies have benefits and drawbacks — as does refinancing the second mortgage altogether. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

This change in shape also limits the amount of venom that can be drawn back from the wound. — Mike McRae 12, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

In that case, our attention is retroactively drawn back toward the squidginess of time and space, and the question of how to depict the invisible forces that hold the universe together. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1572, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drawback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

drawback

noun

draw·​back ˈdrȯ-ˌbak 

: an undesirable feature : disadvantage entry 1