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

Despite the drawbacks, AI can be a force for good, says Cory Weiss, WJC’s executive director of communications strategy. —Toby Axelrod, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026

Zero-knowledge proofs, invented in 1985 by the cryptographers Shafi Goldwasser, Silvio Micali, and Charles Rackoff, don’t have this drawback. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 11 May 2026

Verb

The film continues the story of Jackie Chan’s recurring character, the Asian Hawk, who is drawn back into action when a global hunt erupts over an ancient artifact known as the Tumar, carrying a reward of more than $20 million. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2026

But the memory that will stay with me the longest is waking up, drawing back the curtains, and seeing two majestic giraffes amble right past the window. —Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 11 May 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