disfavor

1 of 2

noun

dis·​fa·​vor (ˌ)dis-ˈfā-vər How to pronounce disfavor (audio)
1
: disapproval, dislike
practices looked upon with disfavor
2
: the state or fact of being no longer favored
fell into disfavor
3

disfavor

2 of 2

verb

disfavored; disfavoring; disfavors

transitive verb

: to withhold or withdraw favor from

Examples of disfavor in a Sentence

Noun He regarded their proposal with disfavor. They looked with disfavor upon her. Verb The current laws favor large businesses and disfavor smaller businesses. a style of stage acting that is disfavored by most theatergoers today
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.
Noun
Too often today this has not been the case, as calls for impeachment of judges for decisions the Executive disfavors and exhortations to disregard court orders sadly illustrate. Time Staff, Time, 18 Apr. 2025 This is our only direct and current vehicle to show our disfavor with what the mayor and his acolytes are pushing since the next regular election is late next year. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
These EOs accordingly discourage the targeted law firms from challenging unlawful government action and representing clients disfavored by Trump. James Speyer, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025 Over time, the precedent of the swift removal of people—with limited if any judicial intervention—can be deployed more broadly to target immigrants, even lawful ones, espousing views disfavored by the administration. Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disfavor

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from Middle French desfaveur, from des- dis- + faveur favor, from Old French favor

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disfavor was circa 1533

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disfavor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disfavor. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

disfavor

1 of 2 noun
dis·​fa·​vor (ˈ)dis-ˈfā-vər How to pronounce disfavor (audio)
1
: dislike entry 1, disapproval
practices looked upon with disfavor
2
: the state or fact of being disliked or disapproved
fell into disfavor

disfavor

2 of 2 verb

More from Merriam-Webster on disfavor

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