as in disadvantages
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success
this plan has only one drawback: it's unworkable
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Recent Examples of drawbacks
Although Presta valves are pretty much standard on higher-end bikes' wheels, the things definitely do have their drawbacks.
—
New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
However, there are drawbacks to the current options.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The solution will have its drawbacks, hindering southbound traffic, Bolon said.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
The key is understanding both the benefits and drawbacks before committing to any program.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
In seismic papers, Borjas’s research described the drawbacks of immigration, including his oft-cited, though much-disputed, findings that the arrival of lower-skilled immigrants hurts American workers who compete for jobs, especially poor people and African Americans.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
But the crossover isn’t without its drawbacks, as Whyatt found out.
—Emily Olsen, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
There can be drawbacks with each.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
According to Randhawa, there are a number of drawbacks to eating the skin of butternut squash.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
However, there are drawbacks to the current options.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The solution will have its drawbacks, hindering southbound traffic, Bolon said.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
The key is understanding both the benefits and drawbacks before committing to any program.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
In seismic papers, Borjas’s research described the drawbacks of immigration, including his oft-cited, though much-disputed, findings that the arrival of lower-skilled immigrants hurts American workers who compete for jobs, especially poor people and African Americans.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
But the crossover isn’t without its drawbacks, as Whyatt found out.
—Emily Olsen, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
There can be drawbacks with each.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
According to Randhawa, there are a number of drawbacks to eating the skin of butternut squash.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drawbacks
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
“Drawbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drawbacks. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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