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

Song Kang stars as Kang Bi-o, a prodigy accustomed to being top of his class, whose position is threatened by transfer student Choi Jeong-yo (Lee Jun-young), a raw talent from a disadvantaged background. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

On the downside, Dow’s Saudi Arabia joint venture plant is still mothballed, and Dow is shuttering economically disadvantaged facilities in the United Kingdom and Germany. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Graduation rates have also risen substantially among economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, English learners, homeless students, and students attending Title I schools. — Jared Polis, Denver Post, 30 July 2026

Oprah Winfrey’s school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa is ending an era. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disadvantaged

• the disadvantaged

Rhymes for disadvantaged

• advantaged