Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

disfavor

American  
[dis-fey-ver] / dɪsˈfeɪ vər /
especially British, disfavour

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 Word Forms

  • disfavorer noun

Etymology

Origin of disfavor

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The program singles out a list of industrial facilities for disfavor, setting a low threshold for the permitting requirements to kick in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

It was the stick he waved around the world to achieve his foreign policy aims, to show favor and disfavor, to offer or withhold exemptions to courtiers.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

This is not exactly in the show’s disfavor.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2025

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 • May 11, 2024

He would never have done that if not for Reynie’s urging, and now it had put him into disfavor with Mr. Curtain.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart