downside

noun

down·​side ˈdau̇n-ˌsīd How to pronounce downside (audio)
1
: a downward trend (as of prices)
2
: a negative aspect
the downside of fame

Examples of downside in a Sentence

He could find no downside to the car. the downside of living in the country is, of course, the long commute to work
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.
Brace yourselves: The S&P 500 might still have 10%-20% more downside left in the tank. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Even with these potential bonuses, though, whole milk can have some downsides, especially if consumed in excess. Sarah Garone, Health, 15 Apr. 2025 The downside is that none are cupholder compatible, and all come with the Magslider lid which isn’t ideal, especially when the leaking liquid is extremely hot coffee. Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025 But focusing too much on protein can come with some downsides, experts said. Alice Callahan, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downside

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downside was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downside. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on downside

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!