disadvantaged

1 of 2

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

disadvantaged

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of disadvantage entry 2

Synonyms of disadvantaged

Adjective

• deprived
• impoverished
• depressed
• underprivileged

Examples of disadvantaged in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

This year, the recipient of the grant was La Source Garouste, a French organization that runs art workshops led by professional artists for some ten thousand disadvantaged children each year. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026

And of those who have returned, many are older and more economically disadvantaged. — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026

Many of them were connected to The Second Mile, a charity Sandusky started in 1977 as a group foster home, which had grown to encompass a broad range of programs for disadvantaged young people. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

The measure would also allocate $450 million to greenhouse gas reduction funds for transit and invest in fire mitigation, food banks, healthcare, legal service providers and programs to aid disadvantaged communities. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disadvantaged

• the disadvantaged

Rhymes for disadvantaged

• advantaged