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

Federal cases brought in Texas appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, a far-right court that routinely interprets the law in creative ways to benefit right-wing causes and the Republican Party, something likely to put anyone trying to stop a deportation at a disadvantage. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 1 Apr. 2025

This level of transparency ensures that you are never misled or unknowingly placed at a disadvantage. —True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Verb

And, more likely than not, any such deal would disadvantage the very constituency that Washington should be engaging instead—the people of Iran. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

North Korean troops are further disadvantaged by the crude tactics of their Russian commanders, who have sent them into assault campaigns without providing rear-fire support, the spy agency told lawmakers in January. —Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for disadvantage

• advantage
• vantage

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