1. An action that causes harm or difficulty: "You have done a disservice to the people by not cooperating with the mayor."
2. To do something that makes the opinions of people about someone or something not to be as good as it should be: "To describe her as merely a journalist is to do her a disservice."

"She did a great disservice to the professionals at the day-care center when she referred to them as 'babysitters'."

"Calling her lazy and uncaring does the nurse a great disservice."

3. An action that is intended to help others but which turns out badly: "He did a disservice to readers by providing the wrong information even though he sincerely thought he was doing the right thing."