dis·ad·van·tage
ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij 
1
: loss or damage especially to reputation, credit, or finances : detriment
the deal worked to their disadvantage
2
a
: an unfavorable, inferior, or prejudicial condition
we were at a disadvantage
b
: a quality or circumstance that makes achievement unusually difficult : handicap
his lack of formal schooling was a serious disadvantage
Synonyms
Examples of disadvantage in a Sentence
Noun
She had the disadvantage of growing up in a poor community.
They argued that the new regulations would place their company at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace.
There are advantages and disadvantages to the new system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Woodson, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
But the barriers to recovery here highlight the double whammy dealt to Indigenous communities by climate change, as extreme weather events exacerbate already high rates of homelessness and economic disadvantage.
—Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2023
Although many Indigenous leaders and experts have said the repercussions of and trauma from colonization are the root cause of this disadvantage, governments — particularly conservative ones — have been resistant to this idea.
—Yan Zhuang, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023
Pros and Cons of Taking CBD Before a Flight
Taking CBD before flying can have both advantages and disadvantages.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023
This essentially puts some countries at a big trading disadvantage, which might put the CBAM on the wrong side of WTO rules that say traders must not discriminate against similar products from different trading partners.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
The significant mistrust between China and other countries regarding data and censorship sets cross-border data flow discussions at a disadvantage.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2023
What are the advantages and disadvantages of so many different producers?
—Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 26 Oct. 2023
Much of the world’s cloud computing and social media infrastructure is owned by US companies, which already puts UK companies—and British regulators—at a disadvantage, Duggal says.
—WIRED, 23 Oct. 2023
Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023
But it will not be disadvantaged by people taking FluMist for self administration.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023
That decision has sparked a wave of litigation aimed at racial considerations in the workplace, including claims that corporate efforts to increase diversity have disadvantaged White employees.
—Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2023
The Justice Department portrays Google as a sclerotic company whose dominance has reduced its incentives to provide good service while disadvantaging newer, more innovative options.
—Adi Robertson, The Verge, 12 Sep. 2023
The right-wing iteration of toxic femininity attempts to neutralize the argument that patriarchy systematically disadvantages women and others who fail to fit traditional gender norms.
—Karrin Vasby Anderson, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2023
Laws governing land use historically have disadvantaged Black communities, which led families such as the Millards’ ancestors to shun formal systems of inheritance and instead leave their property to heirs.
—Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 14 June 2023
In creating a higher standard to bring these cases, the Court highlighted the complicated nature of competition enforcement and recognized the perverse incentive to use antitrust law to disadvantage one’s competitors.
—Ryan Yonk, National Review, 13 Sep. 2023
Trees will be planted in parts of the city that are classified as disadvantaged by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
—Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
Noun
Put differently, rather than countering racial disadvantage, these efforts may actually compound it.
—Kevin Woodson, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
But the barriers to recovery here highlight the double whammy dealt to Indigenous communities by climate change, as extreme weather events exacerbate already high rates of homelessness and economic disadvantage.
—Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2023
Although many Indigenous leaders and experts have said the repercussions of and trauma from colonization are the root cause of this disadvantage, governments — particularly conservative ones — have been resistant to this idea.
—Yan Zhuang, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023
Pros and Cons of Taking CBD Before a Flight
Taking CBD before flying can have both advantages and disadvantages.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023
This essentially puts some countries at a big trading disadvantage, which might put the CBAM on the wrong side of WTO rules that say traders must not discriminate against similar products from different trading partners.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
The significant mistrust between China and other countries regarding data and censorship sets cross-border data flow discussions at a disadvantage.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2023
What are the advantages and disadvantages of so many different producers?
—Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 26 Oct. 2023
Much of the world’s cloud computing and social media infrastructure is owned by US companies, which already puts UK companies—and British regulators—at a disadvantage, Duggal says.
—WIRED, 23 Oct. 2023
Verb
Buyers or sellers represented by an agent in the latter camp would then also be disadvantaged.
—Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023
But it will not be disadvantaged by people taking FluMist for self administration.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023
That decision has sparked a wave of litigation aimed at racial considerations in the workplace, including claims that corporate efforts to increase diversity have disadvantaged White employees.
—Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2023
The Justice Department portrays Google as a sclerotic company whose dominance has reduced its incentives to provide good service while disadvantaging newer, more innovative options.
—Adi Robertson, The Verge, 12 Sep. 2023
The right-wing iteration of toxic femininity attempts to neutralize the argument that patriarchy systematically disadvantages women and others who fail to fit traditional gender norms.
—Karrin Vasby Anderson, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2023
Laws governing land use historically have disadvantaged Black communities, which led families such as the Millards’ ancestors to shun formal systems of inheritance and instead leave their property to heirs.
—Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 14 June 2023
In creating a higher standard to bring these cases, the Court highlighted the complicated nature of competition enforcement and recognized the perverse incentive to use antitrust law to disadvantage one’s competitors.
—Ryan Yonk, National Review, 13 Sep. 2023
Trees will be planted in parts of the city that are classified as disadvantaged by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
—Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disadvantage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing disadvantage
Dictionary Entries Near disadvantage
Cite this Entry
“Disadvantage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disadvantage. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
disadvantage
1 of 2 noun
dis·ad·van·tage
ˌdis-əd-ˈvant-ij
1
: loss or damage especially to one's good name or finances
the deal worked to our disadvantage
2
a
: a state or condition that favors someone else
was at a disadvantage in educated company
b
: something not helpful : a cause of difficulty
More from Merriam-Webster on disadvantage
Nglish: Translation of disadvantage for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of disadvantage for Arabic Speakers
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