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
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Some of the female immune advantage may be male immune disadvantage, and while it’s accepted that hormones affect immunity, determining to what degree is an ongoing research question.
—Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
In some settings, Black male participants were disadvantaged compared to their white male counterparts in up to 100% of cases.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disadvantage
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Noun
Walking away entirely from UNEP would put us at a disadvantage.
—Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Some of the female immune advantage may be male immune disadvantage, and while it’s accepted that hormones affect immunity, determining to what degree is an ongoing research question.
—Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
Verb
That puts the private funds in an enviable position, leaving local communities and other energy producers disadvantaged.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
In some settings, Black male participants were disadvantaged compared to their white male counterparts in up to 100% of cases.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 July 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 22 Jul. 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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