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

• 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

The current system, with its settlement delays, access restrictions, and operational friction, has become competitively disadvantaged. —Sandy Peng, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Lustig said sugary drinks are marketed and priced in a way to attract the poor, and in many disadvantaged communities the water tastes funny because of chemicals in them. —Seth Borenstein, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025

Schools are selected based on factors including the percentage of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, higher-than-average dropout or suspension rates and other challenges that can affect learning. —Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025

Indeed, San Diego County’s wealthier school districts generally saw smaller drops in scores — for both boys and girls — than districts where more students are socioeconomically disadvantaged. —Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disadvantaged

• the disadvantaged

Rhymes for disadvantaged

• advantaged