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 An annual average can appear healthy while Tuesdays and softer months create the downside. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 The only downside to such a fiercely of-the-moment take, of course, is that said moment can change in the nearly three months until the film’s Christmas release. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 Defense can’t be too timid, but there needs to be rational response to an asymmetric downside. — Bob Ackerman, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Yet even after taxes, the largest downside of early withdrawal from a 401(k) may still remain. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downside

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downside

Noun

Super PACs don't face the same pricing disadvantage on digital ads, where campaigns and outside groups compete on more equal footing.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Paxton and Husted in particular demonstrate the GOP disadvantage at the candidate level, although the Republican super PAC spending in Texas and Ohio is intended to counteract it.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of disadvantage

Noun

Over 2 summers, my legit handicap is 13 with some rounds near +18 and others at +8.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The driver, Manning said, had been working particularly well, so well that the 10-handicap golfer had just broke 80 for the first time.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of handicap

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downshifts

downside

downsides

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“Downside.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downside. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of downside

noun

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