disadvantaged

adjective

dis·​ad·​van·​taged ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tijd 

: 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

ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tijd-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of disadvantaged

• deprived
• impoverished
• depressed
• underprivileged

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

Mariam explained that she’d been admitted to Bronx Science through a program called Discovery, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds whose test scores fell just below the school’s cutoff line. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026

Established by the Small Business Administration to assist small businesses owned by disadvantaged individuals, the 8(a) program fast-tracks access to federal contracting opportunities for participants. —Kelly Sloan, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026

After nearly a decade in service, the nonprofit has grown to serve 250,000 meals a month — 3 million meals a year — to more than 100 child care centers in disadvantaged communities throughout the Philadelphia region. —Mike Spatocco, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

Admitting underprepared students, especially those already disadvantaged, harms them. —David Blobaum, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disadvantaged

• the disadvantaged

Rhymes for disadvantaged

• advantaged