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 Philadelphia started the game at a bit of a disadvantage thanks to their late-season pitching plans. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Despite adding more height and physicality in this summer’s transfer market, Chelsea are still operating at an aerial disadvantage to many of their Premier League opponents. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Disadvantages The main disadvantage of window film is that, unlike blinds or curtains, it’s fixed. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 2026 The return of federal student loan payments this month threatens to derail prospects for graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, a cohort already facing steep economic disadvantages. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 22 Sep. 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
  • The driver, Manning said, had been working particularly well, so well that the 10-handicap golfer had just broke 80 for the first time.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The 6,970-yard course is challenging but fair and open enough for all handicaps, from the proper tees, to have a good time.
    — Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of handicap
Noun
  • Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals may face penalties unless they’re used for qualifying expenses such as education or a first home, so families should review the tax rules before deciding how to use the money.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The Central Valley city had one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, along with a high rent burden, transportation costs and childcare expenses, according to Single Mother Grants.
    — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of expense
Noun
  • Only minor drawbacks here are the songs that break from this mold, all of which happen to be sung by the band’s other vocalist, Nikki Belfiglio.
    — Brendan Hay, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Adding another hormone-targeting drug wasn't without drawbacks.
    — Mike McRae October 09, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 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
  • OpenAI has pushed back against wrongful death and product liability lawsuits, alleging user misuse and violation of usage policies.
    — Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Arnaout also pointed to dark costumes as another liability when trick-or-treating.
    — Lina Ruiz October 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of liability
Noun
  • Sports professionals expect some losses, and expect to learn from them.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • More than one in 10 Americans are taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss, according to a recent Gallup analysis, and one in seven has taken them at some point.
    — Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 10 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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