disfavor

[ dis-fey-ver ]

noun

1. unfavorable regard; displeasure; disesteem; dislike:

   The prime minister incurred the king's disfavor.

2. the state of being regarded unfavorably; disrepute:

   The fashions of one year are in disfavor the next.

3. a disadvantageous or detrimental act; disservice:

   The pianist did himself a disfavor in trying to sing.

verb (used with object)

1. to regard or treat with disfavor.

Other Words From

• dis·favor·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disfavor¹

First recorded in 1525–35; dis- ¹ + favor

Example Sentences

“Government officials cannot attempt to coerce private parties in order to punish or suppress views that the government disfavors,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor said for the court.

From Los Angeles Times

Free exercise of religion is “a disfavored right,” he’s carped in the past, and “you can’t say that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.”

From Los Angeles Times

But many individual investors also have the ability to press the eject button on stocks that they disfavor, all on their own.

From New York Times

“Your report really doesn’t balance the evidence favoring your conclusions with the evidence that disfavors your conclusions; isn’t that fair?” a BP attorney asked Cook in a deposition.

From Seattle Times

In the movie, the editor of a literary magazine is forced to grovel for publishing a suddenly disfavored play.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disapprobation
• disapproval
• dislike
• displeasure
• dissatisfaction