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

Raised in the school of hard knocks, Anderson was a passionate advocate for disadvantaged young Australians, his work recognized with Anderson made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 for services to the community. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026

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

Most of the schools served by Book Drive for Kids are 80% to 90% economically disadvantaged, Cook said. — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disadvantaged

• the disadvantaged

Rhymes for disadvantaged

• advantaged