as in disadvantages
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success
the downside of living in the country is, of course, the long commute to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of downsides
Flanigan cautions against the downsides of starting a major kitchen or primary bath overhaul in January due to long lead times, material delays, and significant downtime.
—
Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
Musk is also not blind to the potential downsides of a society without the need to earn a living.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
Here are five potential benefits—and two possible downsides.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 12 Jan. 2026
There’s a story about someone who’s been rationing their insulin and the downsides of that.
—Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
If your home utilizes a public water source, the water may have some downsides for houseplants.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
There are some vivid downsides to college sports’ new NIL era, but net-net, things seem so much healthier when much of it comes down to a school’s willingness to spend.
—Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
But there can be downsides to working the proverbial room as well.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Buy now, pay later plans can look good on paper, but there are some serious downsides to using them.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
Musk is also not blind to the potential downsides of a society without the need to earn a living.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
Here are five potential benefits—and two possible downsides.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 12 Jan. 2026
There’s a story about someone who’s been rationing their insulin and the downsides of that.
—Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
If your home utilizes a public water source, the water may have some downsides for houseplants.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
There are some vivid downsides to college sports’ new NIL era, but net-net, things seem so much healthier when much of it comes down to a school’s willingness to spend.
—Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
But there can be downsides to working the proverbial room as well.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Buy now, pay later plans can look good on paper, but there are some serious downsides to using them.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downsides
disadvantages
Noun
-
The program performed extremely well across key demographics and platforms, despite industry and timing disadvantages, including a Tuesday air date two days before Christmas.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
1 Jan. 2026
-
But lighting alone isn't enough to deter all criminals, and there are some disadvantages to leaving the lights blazing all night long.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downsides.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downsides. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
