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

The director noted that the Indian animation industry remains structurally disadvantaged compared with the country’s commercial film sector, with independent animators routinely forced to seek international co-production partners – primarily in France – to finance original work. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 June 2026

Although everyone breathes polluted air, children, elderly, and historically disadvantaged communities are hurt the most. —Chris Hartmann, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026

Among his many acts of service, my father volunteered with Chicago’s Christmas Ship, bringing Christmas trees to disadvantaged families in the area. —Alex Poppe, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

This could be because disadvantaged children get fewer opportunities to train their focus. —Supreet Kaur, Scientific American, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disadvantaged

• the disadvantaged

Rhymes for disadvantaged

• advantaged