disservice

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disservice" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun meaning "an act or instance of causing harm or disadvantage." Example sentence: The doctor's unprofessional behavior was a great disservice to his patients.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Remember that although self-employment and sleep deprivation are considered to go hand-in-hand, if that's how you roll you're doing yourself a disservice.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 10.56pm BST22 56 In defence of Glenn Hoddle: "I believe you may be doing Mr Hoddle a disservice," writes Dr Carey.

The Guardian - Sport

"Though Pope Francis's heart is surely in the right place, he would do his flock and the world a disservice by putting his moral authority behind the United Nations' unscientific agenda on the climate," Joseph Bast, Heartland's president, said in a statement.

The Guardian

Which is, of course, to do Welbeck and Arsène Wenger a disservice.

The Guardian - Sport

To call the Telegraph's response disproportionate is to do a disservice to the adjective.

The Guardian

This kind of reporting is tiring and does our democracy a disservice.

The Guardian - Opinion

We would not be doing them a grave disservice if we helped them out of it.

The Guardian - Tech

But to suggest that she could simply be the candidate to capitalise on David Cameron's "women problem" would be to do her record a disservice.

The Guardian

As someone who cares passionately about engaging the public in a debate about science, my greatest sadness is that in the absence of evidence, implying that bias exists and that there has been wrongdoing by scientists simply erodes trust and confidence in research and is a disservice to the public.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Awarding huge salary increases in secret to very senior members of the BMA, at a time of pay restraint in the health service, is misguided and wrong, and does a disservice to doctors around the country working hard for their patients.

The Guardian

It would be a disservice to the family to speculate regarding what transpired".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the use of "disservice" is appropriate for the context. While versatile, it carries a slightly formal tone, so consider your audience and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "disservice" when a simple "disagreement" or "difference of opinion" is more accurate. A "disservice" implies tangible harm or disadvantage, not just a divergence in viewpoints.

Linguistic Context

The noun "disservice" typically functions as the object of a verb, describing an action that causes harm or disadvantage. It often appears in constructions like "do a disservice to" or "is a disservice to", as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "disservice" is a grammatically sound noun, denoting an action or instance that causes harm or disadvantage. It's prevalent in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, carrying a generally neutral to formal tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is valid and common, often appearing as the object of verbs in phrases like "do a disservice to". When employing "disservice", ensure the context warrants its emphasis on harm, and always specify the recipient of the "disservice" for clarity. Related phrases include "harmful act" and "detrimental action", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone and focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill service

Uses a more archaic and direct synonym for "disservice".

detrimental action

Substitutes "disservice" with "detrimental action", emphasizing the negative impact of the action.

unfavorable action

More formal and explicit about the nature of the action.

harmful act

Replaces the abstract concept of "disservice" with the more concrete "harmful act".

bad turn

Employs a colloquial term indicating an unfavorable action.

injury

Offers a shorter, more direct term focusing on the harm caused.

damage

A concise synonym focusing on the resulting harm or impairment.

disadvantage

Highlights the negative outcome or handicap resulting from the action.

negative impact

Focuses on the effect of the action, rather than the action itself.

wrongdoing

Highlights the unethical aspect of the action.

FAQs

How to use "disservice" in a sentence?

You can use "disservice" to describe an action that causes harm or disadvantage to someone or something. For example, "The company's negligence was a disservice to its customers."

What can I say instead of "disservice"?

You can use alternatives like "harmful act", "detrimental action", or "ill service" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disservice" or "dis-service"?

"Disservice" is the correct spelling. "Dis-service" is not a standard or accepted form.

What's the difference between "disservice" and "injustice"?

"Disservice" implies harm or disadvantage, while "injustice" refers to a lack of fairness or equity. While a "disservice" can contribute to an injustice, they are not interchangeable.