disadvantaged

adjective

dis·​ad·​van·​taged ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tijd How to pronounce disadvantaged (audio)
: lacking in the basic resources or conditions (such as standard housing, medical and educational facilities, and civil rights) believed to be necessary for an equal position in society
disadvantagedness noun

Examples of disadvantaged in a Sentence

The program provides aid for economically disadvantaged groups. disadvantaged families struggling to get by will be benefited by changes in the tax code
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Last April, the EPA awarded funding via the National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator with the goal of spurring private investment in disadvantaged communities. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025 What’s especially troubling is that scores for the lowest-performing students from disadvantaged families have fallen the most. Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2025 Similarly, California has rolled out social equity programs that give folks from disadvantaged communities a leg up in the cannabis industry—offering financial help, job training, and mentorship for minority entrepreneurs looking to get a piece of the growing market. Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025 For younger residents, particularly students from disadvantaged backgrounds, research suggests that their academic performance improves when living in mixed-age communities. Rachel Cohen, Vox, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for disadvantaged 

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disadvantaged was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near disadvantaged

Cite this Entry

“Disadvantaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disadvantaged. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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