disadvantage

1 of 2

noun

dis·​ad·​van·​tage ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij 

1

: loss or damage especially to reputation, credit, or finances : detriment

the deal worked to their disadvantage

2

a

: an unfavorable, inferior, or prejudicial condition

we were at a disadvantage

b

: a quality or circumstance that makes achievement unusually difficult : handicap

his lack of formal schooling was a serious disadvantage

disadvantage

2 of 2

verb

disadvantaged; disadvantaging; disadvantages

transitive verb

: to place at a disadvantage : harm

Synonyms

Noun

• debit
• disbenefit
• downside
• drawback
• handicap
• incommodity
• liability
• minus
• negative
• strike

Examples of disadvantage in a Sentence

Noun

She had the disadvantage of growing up in a poor community.

They argued that the new regulations would place their company at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace.

There are advantages and disadvantages to the new system.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For several decades, solo cruise travelers found themselves at a financial disadvantage compared to couples and families. —David Nikel, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Dolphins will be at a rest disadvantage the rest of the way Miami will play the Texans coming off a bye, meaning Houston will have a full seven-day rest advantage. —Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024

Verb

Cox has found that both women and men believe that their gender disadvantages them. —Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2024

There are also concerns that the focus of smart cities on modeling and algorithms may disadvantage those aspects of urban life that are not easy to measure quantitatively. —Seydina Fall, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English disavauntage, from Anglo-French desavantage, from des- dis- + avantage advantage

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disadvantage

• put/place someone at a disadvantage
• to someone's disadvantage

Kids Definition

disadvantage

1 of 2 noun

dis·​ad·​van·​tage ˌdis-əd-ˈvant-ij 

1

: loss or damage especially to one's good name or finances

the deal worked to our disadvantage

2

a

: a state or condition that favors someone else

was at a disadvantage in educated company

b

: something not helpful : a cause of difficulty

disadvantage

2 of 2 verb

disadvantaged; disadvantaging

: to place at a disadvantage : harm