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

Are there any risks or drawbacks to these services? — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 22 June 2026

This development has its drawbacks. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2026

Verb

Paired with satellite technology, AI is proving capable of spotting suspicious patterns at sea – showing potential to draw back the veil on vessels used covertly by Russia, China and Iran in what is now called the shadow fleet. — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Shortstop Andruw Monasterio and catcher Connor Wong drew back-to-back one-out walks in the second; Eaton’s two-out RBI-single scored the former, but the latter was out at third on the throw from left-fielder and 2016 first overall pick Mickey Moniak. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 24 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