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
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
Liz Knueven, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
The referees caught the false start, and the 5-yard disadvantage shifted the Vikings into third-and-13, which has a 10 percent conversion rate at best.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
Wall of the Natural Resources Defense Council rejected the idea that philanthropic funding has unfairly disadvantaged oil and gas companies in court.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disadvantage
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Noun
What are the disadvantages of bundled insurance?
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
The referees caught the false start, and the 5-yard disadvantage shifted the Vikings into third-and-13, which has a 10 percent conversion rate at best.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Court disadvantages – Evidence gathered illegally is often not admissible, and judges may see it as harassment or stalking.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
Wall of the Natural Resources Defense Council rejected the idea that philanthropic funding has unfairly disadvantaged oil and gas companies in court.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disadvantage
Cite this Entry
“Disadvantage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disadvantage. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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