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
The government said this would lessen the bureaucratic lift for companies and address concerns firms have expressed about being put at a commercial disadvantage to competitors due to their social and environmental performance.
—
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
Many households of color are at a disadvantage Homeownership is unequal throughout American society.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Does that put you at a disadvantage in terms of the speed of it?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
But having to pivot tactically in Europe competition, in which Jaissle’s team were often at a technical disadvantage, helped prepare him for his new role.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disadvantage
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
Many households of color are at a disadvantage Homeownership is unequal throughout American society.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Does that put you at a disadvantage in terms of the speed of it?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
But having to pivot tactically in Europe competition, in which Jaissle’s team were often at a technical disadvantage, helped prepare him for his new role.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disadvantage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disadvantage
Noun
-
The 75-foot Dry Falls—the most popular in western North Carolina—invites travelers to walk behind it while staying mostly dry or view it from the handicap-accessible overlook.—
Trudy Haywood Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2026
-
That was a huge handicap for McNeil and Boers, who had to sign off in late afternoon in late fall and winter.—
Phil Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, the utility will be allowed to spread the expense recovery over an entire hunk of the Midwest.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Alphabet also said its research and development expenses went up by 42%, driven by compensation for AI talent and supporting Waymo.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The answer is complex There are a few ways to measure readiness, but each method has its drawbacks, said Jill Cannon, a senior policy researcher at global policy think tank RAND.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Like Beck, Moniak rated negatively in defensive WAR in ’25, but the defensive drawback could be offset by platooning him in right field.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2026
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
-
Using that unscientific tool to gauge his Texas Rangers, the club after the first month of the season remains unchanged despites many changes: Average, and a stunning disappointment.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That website's launch was memorably rocky -- only six people successfully signed up for health plans on the website's first day, according to internal Obama administration notes obtained by congressional Republicans -- a failure that became a political liability for the Obama administration.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
But without the proper licensing, this exposes houses of worship who use volunteer armed security to a world of liability.—
Lauren Costantino
February 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Well, at least there’s a Super Bowl ad that addresses the frustration many may be feeling, courtesy of the company that provides pills for hair loss, weight loss and libido loss.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Payton’s longtime assistant, Lombardi was fired a few days after the Broncos’ AFC Championship Game loss.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disadvantage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disadvantage. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
