ad·van·tage
əd-ˈvan-tij 
1
: superiority of position or condition
Higher ground gave the enemy the advantage.
2
: a factor or circumstance of benefit to its possessor
lacked the advantages of an education
3
a
: benefit, gain
especially
: benefit resulting from some course of action
a mistake which turned out to our advantage
see also take advantage of
b
obsolete
: interest sense 3a
4
: the first point won in tennis after deuce
advantaged; advantaging
: to give an advantage to : benefit
Government does not know how to strengthen all families, and no public policy avoids advantaging some families while implicitly asking others to wait in the queue.—
Martin Neil Baily
Martin Neil Baily
Synonyms
Examples of advantage in a Sentence
Noun
Higher ground gave the enemy the advantage.
He has an unfair advantage over us because of his wealth.
His plan has the advantage of being less expensive than other options.
He lacked the advantages of an advanced education.
Speed is an advantage in most sports.
The company's only advantage over the competition is its location.
Applicants for this job will find that previous experience is an advantage.
Being able to set your own schedule is one of the advantages of owning a business.
Among the advantages of a small college is its campus life.
There isn't any advantage in leaving early.
Verb
there's no question that that bicycle racer was significantly advantaged by a great set of genes
Recent Examples on the WebWalter Villa, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
The military has always been an organization that will adopt new technology on the battlefield in hopes of gaining some advantage over the enemy.
—Vera Bergengruen, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Just as the Zags possess intrinsic advantages over their peers with regard to resources, reputation and recruiting prowess, so have Arizona and UCLA been fundamentally better positioned for success on a yearly basis relative to all the fair-to-middlin’ basketball programs in the Pac-12.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
The GOP candidate in this race has a significant advantage, with 62% of the voters being Republican, according to Dave's Redistricting.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
But, remember, a campaign that already won — against the same opponent no less– has a strategic advantage.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024
That gives Beijing a formidable targeting advantage, said Gregory Poling, an expert on Southeast Asia security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
—Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
There was a time for hierarchical, command-and-control organizations–the 19th century, to be exact, when many workers were illiterate, information traveled at a snail’s pace, and strict adherence to rules offered the competitive advantage of reliability.
—Bill Anderson, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024
De Meo pointed out that a C-segment car in China had a cost advantage of between €6,000 and €7,000 (between $6,500 and $7,600) compared with a European equivalent.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024
Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
Extremist demagogues take advantage of stagnant economic systems–systems that advantage the rich while enabling them to escape their civic duty–by channeling general frustration into popular support.
—Chuck Collins, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2024
If governance is to be judged by the opportunities offered to the least advantaged then this is an indictment on the management of the English game.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
If the Niners’ secondary — which should have a numbers advantage all game — hawks his throws, which have impressive power and accuracy given his poor throwing base, but can often sail, that’s a problem for the Packers.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024
The deal uptick reflects expectations, particularly in North America, that while oil and gas will continue to play a significant role in the energy mix for some time, cost and capital pressures will advantage bigger operators.
—Andrea Guerzoni, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024
That one-two shuffle — wherein the motion picture industry gets rocked by a shock to the system, followed by an adaptation that not only meets the challenge but turns it to advantage — set a pattern for Hollywood’s crisis management forever after.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2023
The administration is forgoing a chance to lower tariffs and strengthen labor and environmental standards on imports, thereby directly advantaging China: in 2021, China applied for admission to the TPP in the United States’ place.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2023
That may seem odd, but what is often left unsaid in discussions of Wisconsin maps is that the islands are not random parcels created by mapmakers to advantage Republicans at the behest of a Republican legislature.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 17 Nov. 2023
Noun
That 14-5 advantage on 3-pointers proved to be crucial.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
The military has always been an organization that will adopt new technology on the battlefield in hopes of gaining some advantage over the enemy.
—Vera Bergengruen, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Just as the Zags possess intrinsic advantages over their peers with regard to resources, reputation and recruiting prowess, so have Arizona and UCLA been fundamentally better positioned for success on a yearly basis relative to all the fair-to-middlin’ basketball programs in the Pac-12.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
The GOP candidate in this race has a significant advantage, with 62% of the voters being Republican, according to Dave's Redistricting.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
But, remember, a campaign that already won — against the same opponent no less– has a strategic advantage.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024
That gives Beijing a formidable targeting advantage, said Gregory Poling, an expert on Southeast Asia security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
—Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
There was a time for hierarchical, command-and-control organizations–the 19th century, to be exact, when many workers were illiterate, information traveled at a snail’s pace, and strict adherence to rules offered the competitive advantage of reliability.
—Bill Anderson, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024
De Meo pointed out that a C-segment car in China had a cost advantage of between €6,000 and €7,000 (between $6,500 and $7,600) compared with a European equivalent.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
One of Strome’s goals came on the power play in the Ducks’ sixth multi-goal effort with the man advantage this season.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
Extremist demagogues take advantage of stagnant economic systems–systems that advantage the rich while enabling them to escape their civic duty–by channeling general frustration into popular support.
—Chuck Collins, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2024
If governance is to be judged by the opportunities offered to the least advantaged then this is an indictment on the management of the English game.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
If the Niners’ secondary — which should have a numbers advantage all game — hawks his throws, which have impressive power and accuracy given his poor throwing base, but can often sail, that’s a problem for the Packers.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024
The deal uptick reflects expectations, particularly in North America, that while oil and gas will continue to play a significant role in the energy mix for some time, cost and capital pressures will advantage bigger operators.
—Andrea Guerzoni, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024
That one-two shuffle — wherein the motion picture industry gets rocked by a shock to the system, followed by an adaptation that not only meets the challenge but turns it to advantage — set a pattern for Hollywood’s crisis management forever after.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2023
The administration is forgoing a chance to lower tariffs and strengthen labor and environmental standards on imports, thereby directly advantaging China: in 2021, China applied for admission to the TPP in the United States’ place.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2023
That may seem odd, but what is often left unsaid in discussions of Wisconsin maps is that the islands are not random parcels created by mapmakers to advantage Republicans at the behest of a Republican legislature.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 17 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'advantage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
alteration (with initial a- taken as assimilated form of Latin ad- ad-) of Middle English avauntage, borrowed from Anglo-French avantage, from avant "before" (going back to Latin abante) + -age -age — more at advance entry 1
Verb
alteration (after advantage entry 1) of Middle English avauntagen, borrowed from Anglo-French avauntager, verbal derivative of avauntage, avantage advantage entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Verb
1549, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of advantage was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing advantage
Dictionary Entries Near advantage
Cite this Entry
“Advantage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advantage. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
advantage
noun
ad·van·tage
əd-ˈvant-ij
1
: the fact of being in a better position or condition
gain the advantage
3
: something that helps the one it belongs to
speed is an advantage in sports
More from Merriam-Webster on advantage
Nglish: Translation of advantage for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of advantage for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share