noun
- a disadvantage or harmful effect, especially one that results from a policy or action
Usage: formal; often used in policy analysis
Examples
- The new tax policy created significant disbenefits for small businesses.
- Researchers weighed the benefits against the disbenefits of the proposed highway expansion.
- The environmental disbenefit of increased traffic was a major concern.
- Economic analysis revealed several disbenefits that outweighed the projected gains.
- The committee identified potential disbenefits to rural communities.
- Social disbenefits included increased inequality and reduced access to services.