disfavor

Disfavor is a noun and a verb that describe the absence or withdrawal of approval, support, or favorable regard toward a person, idea, policy, or action. As a noun, it refers to the state of not being favored; as a verb, to disfavor means to withhold approval or to regard something with less favor. In common usage, disfavor often appears in formal or policy contexts, though it can also describe interpersonal judgments.

Etymology and spelling variants: disfavor derives from the prefix dis- meaning negation and the word favor. British English typically uses disfavour, while American English more commonly uses disfavor. The related adjective forms include disfavored or disfavourable, and the concept can be extended to phrases such as “fall into disfavour” or “be in disfavor with.”

Usage and contexts: In politics or governance, a bill or proposal may be disfavored by a committee or by a leadership body, indicating lack of support. In organizational settings, a plan or policy might be disfavored by management. In personal relations, someone may become disfavored by peers or by a social group. Common collocations include “in disfavour,” “fall into disfavour,” and “to disfavor a person or idea.”

See also: disapproval, opposition, lack of support, disfavour, unfavourable.

Note: Disfavor conveys a directional sense of bias or preference, differentiating from mere neutrality or mild disagreement.