disutility

[ dis-yoo-til-i-tee ]
/ ˌdɪs yuˈtɪl ɪ ti /

noun

the quality of causing inconvenience, harm, distress, etc.

Origin of disutility

First recorded in 1875–80; dis-1 + utility

Words nearby disutility

disunionist, disunite, disunity, disuse, disused, disutility, disvalue, disyllabic, disyllabism, disyllabize, disyllable

Example sentences from the Web for disutility

  • The explanation of superstitions must hold of all false beliefs, whatever their utility or disutility.

    The Origin of Man and of his Superstitions |Carveth Read

  • The answer is determined by the balance of utility and disutility.

    The Principles of Economics |Frank A. Fetter

  • When more people use a given amount of consumers' wealth, values, measured in ultimate units of utility or disutility, rise.

    Essentials of Economic Theory |John Bates Clark

  • On the contrary, with the bringing in of disutility of production, we have the doctrine of the earlier English School revived.

    The Value of Money |Benjamin M. Anderson, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for disutility

disutility
/ (ˌdɪsjuːˈtɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

economics
  1. the shortcomings of a commodity or activity in satisfying human wants
  2. the degree to which a commodity or activity fails to satisfy human wants
Compare utility (def. 4)