disserve
Fail to help
To disserve is to serve badly or do a disservice to—the opposite of serve well.
The word appears most often when someone's actions harm the very thing they're meant to help: The policy disserves the students it claims to protect.
Less common than "do a disservice to" but more direct.
Harm or impairment
- injuryPhysical or psychological harm
- hurtCause or feel pain
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- wrongContrary to fact
disadvantage · disfavor · detriment · prejudice · undermine · sabotage · compromise · hinder
Violate a trust
- failBe unsuccessful
- abandonLeave behind permanently
- forsakeAbandon completely
- deceiveCause false belief
mislead · double-cross · let down · backstab · treachery · disloyalty · breach · neglect
Contrary to fact
- mistreatTo harm or neglect
- maltreatTreat someone cruelly
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- exploitNotable act or abuse
oppress · victimize · discriminate · marginalize · shortchange · cheat · deprive · deny
damage
Harm or impairment
- injuryPhysical or psychological harm
- hurtCause or feel pain
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
wrong · disadvantage · disfavor · detriment · prejudice · undermine · sabotage · compromise · hinder · obstruct
betray
Violate a trust
deceive · mislead · double-cross · let down · backstab · treachery · disloyalty · breach · neglect · disappoint
wrong
Contrary to fact
exploit · oppress · victimize · discriminate · marginalize · shortchange · cheat · deprive · deny · unfairness