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 of disadvantage

Noun

• handicap
• drawback
• liability

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

And while youth unemployment has not dramatically spiked yet, executives like TIAA CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett have ultimately warned that young workers who fail to adapt to AI could find themselves at a disadvantage. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

The screen just isn't that colorful, which puts it at a disadvantage for everything from designing a flyer to choosing the right photo for a social media post. — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026

Verb

Reacting to the suspension, Microsoft rejected the suggestion that its hiring practices disadvantaged American workers. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026

Others, however, argued that the issue had larger roots and bringing back standardized testing would disadvantage students from marginalized communities. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

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