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.
drew back; drawn back; drawing back; draws back
: to avoid an issue or commitment
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
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 7 Nov. 2025
This is a premium phone, and the biggest drawback was the retail price, so taking it home for 31% off is a steal.
—PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2025
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Marat Khusnutdinov, who hasn’t played since his costly third period turnover in the B’s 3-2 loss in Utah on October 19, will draw back into the lineup and John Beecher will come out.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drawback
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Noun
Woven fabrics generally shed less than knits, warp knits are less flaky than weft knits, and filament yarns have better structural integrity than their staple counterparts, though this drawback can be remedied with longer lengths and stronger twists.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 7 Nov. 2025
This is a premium phone, and the biggest drawback was the retail price, so taking it home for 31% off is a steal.
—PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Displays of his costumes will be combined with his narration and behind-the-scenes video, photos and sketches to draw back the curtain to show how imagination becomes reality.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Marat Khusnutdinov, who hasn’t played since his costly third period turnover in the B’s 3-2 loss in Utah on October 19, will draw back into the lineup and John Beecher will come out.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drawback
Cite this Entry
“Drawback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drawback. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
drawback
noun
draw·back
ˈdrȯ-ˌbak 
: an undesirable feature : disadvantage entry 1
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