DOWNSIDE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

downside

noun

ˈdau̇n-ˌsīd

Definition of downside

as in disadvantage

a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success the downside of living in the country is, of course, the long commute to work

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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.

Recent Examples of downside Again, the downside of a stock is rarely thought of as a casualty of the market itself. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 Among the many potential downsides for letting the national debt get too high was that the federal government would suck up so much capital that businesses wouldn’t be left with enough. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 But having security around him all the time can come with a few downsides. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 28 Aug. 2026 The only downside was affordability; the cost of one month’s rent equates to around 81 hours of work at the local minimum wage. — Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downside

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downside

Noun

Consider these advantages and disadvantages before choosing an ARM.

— Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Similarly, although benefits of smaller class sizes are real, at least for economically disadvantaged kids in early grades, uniform caps put high-poverty schools at a competitive disadvantage (because other working conditions are more difficult).

— David Griffith, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disadvantage

Noun

Weiss runs a country club where golf clubs become horsepower, fairways give way to a racetrack and the handicap system is measured in lap time.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Tragically, Alice’s shower trauma turns out to be a big handicap for her in her pursuit of Catherine’s trust.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of handicap

Noun

Opponents argue that the nation that won its independence from Denmark in 1944 enjoys all the benefits of European integration with no drawbacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) may have solved the biggest drawback of electric vehicle range anxiety.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of drawback

Browse Nearby Words

downshifts

downside

downsides

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“Downside.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downside. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of downside

noun

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