DISADVANTAGE Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

disadvantage

noun

ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij

Definition of disadvantage

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

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 Democratic gains in this election, though, were seen as possibly being limited by structural disadvantages — primarily through Republican efforts to tilt the playing by redistricting. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026 The first disadvantage is the lack of an automatic document feeder (ADF). — David English, PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026 Even with a challenging midterm environment for Republicans, Democrats were up against a significant statewide voter registration disadvantage as the electorate has increasingly voted red in recent years. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 The technical challenge is figuring out whether someone setting up a garden in a certain spot is at a disadvantage to anyone else in the arena. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disadvantage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disadvantage

Noun

Over 2 summers, my legit handicap is 13 with some rounds near +18 and others at +8.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of handicap

Noun

Prosecutors said Sherman, from September 2015 through May 2025, stole nearly $18 million from her employer to pay off her extravagant credit card expenses.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Seven Corners offers additional flexibility through its optional cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage, which can reimburse up to 75% of eligible nonrefundable expenses when travelers cancel for reasons that wouldn't otherwise qualify.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of expense

Noun

The handout compared the pros and cons of the vitamin K shot with oral vitamin K drops, noting that the drawbacks of the drops are that some babies may not be able to absorb them or may spit them up.

— Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 8 Nov. 2026
However, big-and-slow tanks like these had too many drawbacks, and technological advancements eventually made do-it-all designs like the Chieftain possible.

— Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 7 Nov. 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

For example, $40 trillion in total federal debt represents about 124% of GDP, up from 56% in 2000, and $147 trillion in total federal liabilities represents about 452% of GDP, up from 199% in 2000.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
Lawmakers also have warned major banks, port authorities and fuel distributors that facilitating the imports could expose companies to civil or criminal liability and future congressional investigations.

— DAVID McHUGH, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of liability

Noun

Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III’s assignment was to rush the passer on the most pivotal play of the Jayhawks’ 33-32 loss to UCF on Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
Not all signal losses are the same Most consumer drones rely on several communication and navigation systems working together.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of loss

Browse Nearby Words

disaccustomed

disadvantage

disadvantaged

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Disadvantage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disadvantage. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of disadvantage

noun

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