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
Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Like Beck, Moniak rated negatively in defensive WAR in ’25, but the defensive drawback could be offset by platooning him in right field.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2026
Mikey Eyssimont drew back into the lineup.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drawback
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Noun
The answer is complex There are a few ways to measure readiness, but each method has its drawbacks, said Jill Cannon, a senior policy researcher at global policy think tank RAND.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Like Beck, Moniak rated negatively in defensive WAR in ’25, but the defensive drawback could be offset by platooning him in right field.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Other California leaders have called on drawing back or ceasing ICE activity in their cities.
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2026
Mikey Eyssimont drew back into the lineup.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 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 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
drawback
noun
draw·back
ˈdrȯ-ˌbak 
: an undesirable feature : disadvantage entry 1
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