disservice
UK: dɪsˈsɜːvɪs | US: dɪsˈsɜːrvɪs
n. an action or behavior that harms or fails to help someone or something
The word "disservice" combines the prefix "dis-" (from Latin, meaning "opposite of" or "lack of") with the root "service" (from Old French "servise," meaning "assistance" or "help"). The prefix "dis-" negates the positive connotation of "service," creating a term that describes an action contrary to helpfulness—often implying harm or neglect. This logical pairing reflects the word’s evolution in Middle English to denote a harmful or unhelpful act.
Spreading false rumors about a colleague is a great disservice to teamwork.
The biased article did a disservice to the scientific community.
Ignoring customer complaints is a disservice to your business.
He felt the review was a disservice to his hard work.
Cutting funding to education does a disservice to future generations.