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.
drew back; drawn back; drawing back; draws back
: 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
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Yet, the higher service fee, higher monthly costs and limited plan flexibility may be drawbacks for budget-conscious homeowners.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Jan. 2026
Her portfolio includes imagery for a Vogue feature that drew back the curtain on nine workers in New York City’s Garment District.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drawback
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Noun
But there can be drawbacks to visiting when the park’s less busy.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Yet, the higher service fee, higher monthly costs and limited plan flexibility may be drawbacks for budget-conscious homeowners.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
Set in Atlanta, Thompson plays a news anchor named Anna who is becoming something of a recluse due to her job, but she is drawn back to her hometown following a murder.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Jan. 2026
Her portfolio includes imagery for a Vogue feature that drew back the curtain on nine workers in New York City’s Garment District.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drawback
Cite this Entry
“Drawback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drawback. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
drawback
noun
draw·back
ˈdrȯ-ˌbak 
: an undesirable feature : disadvantage entry 1
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