drawback

1 of 2

noun

draw·​back ˈdrȯ-ˌbak How to pronounce drawback (audio)
Synonyms of drawback
1
: a refund of duties especially on an imported product subsequently exported or used to produce a product for export
2
: an objectionable feature : disadvantage
The plan's only drawback is its cost.

draw back

2 of 2

verb

drȯ-ˈbak How to pronounce draw back (audio)
drew back; drawn back; drawing back; draws back

intransitive verb

: to avoid an issue or commitment

Synonyms of drawback

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of drawback in a Sentence

Noun The trip sounds great, but cost is a major drawback. this plan has only one drawback: it's unworkable
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Each one has its merits and drawbacks, and some have become increasingly important as the climate heats up. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 One drawback with outdoor art is decay, and the mural was fading into the 2000s. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Verb
But when tourists start turning up dead, he’s reluctantly drawn back into detective work. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 June 2026 Some survivors described an uncannily quiet moment, an other-worldly pause, when the sea drew back from the shore before the big wave came. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for drawback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1572, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drawback was in 1572

Rhymes for drawback

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Browse Nearby Words

draw away
drawback
draw back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drawback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drawback. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

drawback

noun
draw·​back ˈdrȯ-ˌbak How to pronounce drawback (audio)
: an undesirable feature : disadvantage entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on drawback

Nglish: Translation of drawback for Spanish Speakers

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