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

But there were also drawbacks, mainly a fear of accidentally spoiling certain events that occur in season six. — Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Non-invasive approaches are commonly used, but often have their own drawbacks in reliability, comfort, or convenience. — Greg Uyeno, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

Tyson Foerster also scored a goal and Michkov added a second goal in the third period, but Philadelphia never could draw back even, and had its three-game winning streak snapped. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Tyson Foerster also scored a goal and Michkov added a second tally in the third period, but Philadelphia never could draw back even, and had its three-game winning streak snapped. — ABC News, 24 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