disadvantage

noun

ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij How to pronounce disadvantage (audio)
Definition of disadvantagenext
1
as in handicap
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success their lack of height was a disadvantage on the basketball court

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in expense
the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success intense pretrial publicity worked to our disadvantage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disadvantage Despite this trend, many baby boomers say digital-only coupons put shoppers without smartphones at a disadvantage. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 As a destination, Titan does have some disadvantages, however. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2026 As De Puy shares, being a drag queen came with its advantages and disadvantages when secluded with over a dozen strangers on a TV set. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 At the same candidate forum, Lake said that employment opportunities tend to be clustered in larger cities across Jackson County, putting candidates further east at a disadvantage when looking for jobs. — Ilana Arougheti july 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for disadvantage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disadvantage
  1. handicap
  2. expense
  3. drawback
  4. despite
  5. liability
  6. loss
Noun
  • Nick Jackson was still on the floor as this devolved into a handicap match.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • For amenities like restrooms, a handicap accessible walkover, ample parking, and a lifeguard on duty, consider the Santa Clara Regional beach access.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of handicap
Noun
  • Every case has a value, which is determined by the likely amount of recovery or exposure as adjusted by the likely chance or winning or losing ― plus the attorney fees, expenses and costs to get the case over the finish line.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • This is Texas's first year using $1 billion of taxpayer money to fund private school expenses for eligible families who applied to the program.
    — Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of expense
Noun
  • Push-button start isn't perfect and has its own mechanical drawbacks such as accidental shut offs or reliance on a key fob.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There are some examples of drawbacks in Washington’s recent past.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of drawback
Noun
  • Political observers think Talarico could surge to the fore in the primary despite, or perhaps because of, his outsider status.
    — Julia Mueller, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Despite the fact that the age of female winners has been steadily increasing in the last despite, the average female Oscar winner is 39 years old, according to a Sky News 2023 report—almost a decade younger than the average male winner at 47.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2023
Definition of despite
Noun
  • That’s after excluding wealth from the top 1% of households, subtracting debts and other liabilities, as well as deducting retirement spending, charitable donations, taxes and fees.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • However, excessive optimism can become a liability during acquisition negotiations.
    — Amit Jain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of liability
Noun
  • Even with Saturday’s loss, the Red Sox (64-52) have won 11 of their past 13.
    — Curt Anderson, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The loss dropped Orlando to 2-5 since returning to action from the league’s summer break.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of loss

Browse Nearby Words

disaccustomed
disadvantage
disadvantaged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disadvantage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disadvantage. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disadvantage

Nglish: Translation of disadvantage for Spanish Speakers

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