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disservicean action that harms someone or something rather than helping them

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: an action that harms someone or something rather than helping them

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪsˈsɜːrvɪs/

Example Sentences

  • The celebrity chef did a disservice to Italian cuisine by putting pineapple on carbonara.
  • Spreading misinformation about vaccines is a disservice to public health.
  • My GPS did me a disservice by directing me through the worst traffic jam ever.

disservice

NOUN

[/dɪsˈsɜːrvɪs/]

an action that harms someone or something rather than helping them

disservice — an action that harms someone or something rather than helping them (concept illustration)
💡 Concept

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪsˈsɜːrvɪs/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪsˈsɜːvɪs/

🌳Etymology

Prefixdis--
Rootservice

Origin

From the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'opposite of' or 'badly' combined with 'service' from Latin 'servitium' meaning 'to serve.' The word literally means 'bad service' or 'the opposite of helpful service.'

Breakdown

dis- (opposite/badly) + service (helpful action) = harmful or unhelpful action

🎵Rhyme

servicenervouspurpose
service
nervous
purpose

🔗Collocations

do a disservice
great disservice
disservice to society
render a disservice
public disservice
disservice to education
professional disservice

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The celebrity chef did a disservice to Italian cuisine by putting pineapple on carbonara.

Spreading misinformation about vaccines is a disservice to public health.

😄 Fun example

My GPS did me a disservice by directing me through the worst traffic jam ever.

The teacher felt she was doing her students a disservice by not challenging them enough.

😄 Fun example

That movie review did a disservice to the film by revealing all the plot twists.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

harmdamagedetrimentinjurydisadvantage

Antonyms

servicebenefitfavor

Related

malpracticenegligencemisconductinjustice

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