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

One drawback with outdoor art is decay, and the mural was fading into the 2000s. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Like any venue, the decision to celebrate a wedding at Madison Square Garden comes with advantages and drawbacks. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Verb

Years on, living in Mumbai and retreating to the anonymity of the background row, she is gradually drawn back toward the stage. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026

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

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