drawback

[ draw-bak ]

noun

1. a hindrance or disadvantage; an undesirable or objectionable feature.
2. Commerce. an amount paid back from a charge made.
3. Government. a refund of tariff or other tax, as when imported goods are reexported.

drawback

/ ˈdrɔːˌbæk /

noun

1. a disadvantage or hindrance
2. a refund of customs or excise duty paid on goods that are being exported or used in the production of manufactured exports

verb

1. to retreat; move backwards
2. to turn aside from an undertaking

Word History and Origins

Origin of drawback¹

First recorded in 1610–20; noun use of verb phrase draw back

Example Sentences

"For Trump, I see very little drawback because, whatever you think of the guy, he's clearly comfortable in who he is," he adds.

From BBC

The divide illustrates a major drawback of Trump’s reliance on the ultra-wealthy and an advantage of Harris’ grassroots fundraising model.

From Slate

The only nagging drawback to Morris’ otherwise crisp and chilling indictment is, unfortunately, not a small one: an interspersed narrative made with actors, centered on a Guatemalan mother and son making their way into the U.S. and caught in the separation system.

From Los Angeles Times

An increase in the prices of everyday goods — like bananas, the bulk of the nation's coffee and off-season fruits, which the United States imports from other nations — will likely be the biggest drawback from the implementation of Trump's tariff policy as the taxes on those goods will likely be "passed onto the consumer," he explained.

From Salon

Carlile: The only real drawback I can think of is that the mountain we all look at, they’re clear-cutting it right now.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• defect
• deficiency
• difficulty
• disadvantage
• failing
• fault
• flaw
• hindrance
• hitch
• impediment
• imperfection
• inconvenience
• obstacle
• shortcoming
• snag
• stumbling block
• weakness