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

While there are some drawbacks compared to traditional investments — such as its inability to earn dividends — there are several ways to add gold to your portfolio. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 8 June 2026

Are there any drawbacks to consider? —Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 8 June 2026

Verb

In this debut novel from author Wang, 26-year-old Linli Feng has her own problems, but has to face even more as she is drawn back into the orbit of her mother, a plastic surgery addict who gets sketchy procedures done in Los Angeles. —Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 11 June 2026

But when tourists start turning up dead, he’s reluctantly drawn back into detective work. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 June 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