drawback

1 of 2

noun

draw·​back ˈdrȯ-ˌbak How to pronounce drawback (audio)
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

drew back; drawn back; drawing back; draws back

intransitive verb

: to avoid an issue or commitment

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
Not many of the other prospects check those boxes without at least one very notable drawback. Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 There are some unavoidable drawbacks to its more limited memory, though. ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
Back tension: This clever release mechanism features a hinge that rotates freely as the bowstring is drawn back. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2025 With Ekholm out of commission, both Ty Emberson and John Klingberg drew back into the lineup to play right defence. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drawback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drawback. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!