Drawback
noun
Definition
A disadvantage or the negative part of a situation.
Context Alive
The apartment had beautiful views and a modern kitchen, but the main drawback was its location — a forty-minute commute from the city center with no direct bus route. After weighing the pros and cons, they decided to keep looking for something closer to work.
Meanings
1 meaning 1 A Disadvantage or Negative Aspect (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about the downside or problem with something that is otherwise good. Imagine loving your new job except for one major drawback — the salary is lower than what you earned before, making budgeting much tighter. This is a drawback — the negative part of an otherwise positive situation. You might say the only drawback of living near the beach is the tourist crowds in summer, or a phone could have the drawback of poor battery life despite its great camera. Or picture a medicine with the drawback of causing drowsiness. The word suggests a flaw that needs to be weighed against benefits.
Vivid ExampleWorking from home has many advantages, but a significant drawback is the difficulty of separating work life from personal life, often leading to longer hours and more stress.
Examples from the Street
“The only drawback to the flat is the noisy neighbours.”
The only negative aspect of the apartment is the loud people next door
“Every job has its drawbacks.”
Every position has its disadvantages
“The main drawback of working from home is the isolation.”
The primary downside of remote working is the loneliness
Common Patterns
the main/major drawback → the primary disadvantage
the only drawback → the single negative point
the biggest drawback → the most significant disadvantage
a serious/significant drawback → an important disadvantage
a potential drawback → a possible disadvantage
the drawback of [something] → the disadvantage of something
the drawback to [something] → the negative aspect of something
drawbacks to/of [doing something] → disadvantages of an action
have its drawbacks → have disadvantages
despite its/the drawbacks → regardless of the disadvantages
outweigh the drawbacks → be more important than the negatives
drawbacks and benefits/advantages → negatives and positives
Collocations
4 collocationsmajor drawback
a significant disadvantage
only drawback
the single negative aspect
potential drawback
a possible disadvantage to consider
outweigh the drawbacks
benefits are greater than the negatives
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
The main drawback of living in the city centre is the high cost of rent
The primary disadvantage of residing in the urban core is the expensive housing.
2
The only drawback to this phone is its short battery life
The single negative aspect of this mobile device is that its power doesn’t last long.
3
Working freelance has its drawbacks, but I love the freedom
Being self-employed has its disadvantages, but I adore the independence.
4
The benefits of the new system far outweigh the drawbacks
The advantages of the new arrangement greatly exceed the negatives.
5
One significant drawback is that the software isn’t compatible with older computers
One important disadvantage is that the programme doesn’t work with ageing machines.
6
Let’s discuss the drawbacks and benefits before making a decision
Let’s examine the negatives and positives before reaching a conclusion.
7
Despite its drawbacks, the plan was approved by the committee
Regardless of its disadvantages, the proposal was accepted by the panel.
8
A potential drawback is that customers might not trust the new brand
A possible disadvantage is that buyers might not have confidence in the unfamiliar name.
9
Every solution has drawbacks — there’s no perfect answer
Every approach has negatives — there’s no ideal response.
10
The biggest drawback of cheap flights is the hidden fees
The greatest disadvantage of budget air travel is the additional charges they don’t tell you about.
Learner Examples
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The main drawback of learning a language only from apps is the lack of real conversation practice
The primary disadvantage of studying a tongue exclusively through applications is the absence of authentic speaking opportunities.
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Large class sizes have obvious drawbacks — teachers can’t give individual attention to every student
Big groups of learners have clear disadvantages — instructors cannot provide personal focus to each pupil.
Synonyms & Antonyms
7 items
Synonymsdisadvantage
a negative aspect
downside
the bad side of something
weakness
a point of vulnerability
shortcoming
a flaw or limitation
Antonymsadvantage
a positive aspect
benefit
something helpful
strength
a strong point