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 The Video Assistant Referee is able to intervene if there is clear and obvious evidence that one of the teams suffered an obvious disadvantage. — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Manuel Rey | Istock | Getty Images Hawaii has some built in disadvantages in just about any state competitiveness ranking. — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 9 July 2026 Prompted by this disadvantage, the HZB team tried to replace the layer with a highly stable, low-loss chemical duo. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026 That disadvantage only drives Nelson to one day earn a standard NBA contract. — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 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
  • 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
  • Jon Zaghloul, city of Aurora spokesperson, said a variety of parking options will be offered on Friday, with handicap accessible parking at the north end of the Aurora Transportation Center parking lot.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of handicap
Noun
  • Fury has already spent one post-fight interview working the microphone at Joshua's expense.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • If the litigation proves unsuccessful, the attorney not only receives nothing, but the attorney is also out on expenses incurred in the representation.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of expense
Noun
  • While there are some drawbacks compared to traditional investments — such as its inability to earn dividends — there are several ways to add gold to your portfolio.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 July 2026
  • One is more processed, the other packs more fat—and both have their fair share of drawbacks.
    — Lauren Manaker MS, Health, 14 July 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
  • Perhaps the shop is trying to improve customer service and reduce liability.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
  • The authors urge regulators to implement true consolidated supervision, account for implicit liabilities, and close asymmetric loopholes to curb this internal risk-shifting.
    — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of liability
Noun
  • The central message is the acceptance that suffering is a necessary stage in the process of love, loss and personal growth — of life itself.
    — Colin Millar, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The Marlins, whose fifth straight loss matched their season high, closed the gap to 8-6 in the ninth inning thanks to Griffin Conine’s three-run homer, his seventh, off Craig Yoho.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 July 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disadvantage

Nglish: Translation of disadvantage for Spanish Speakers

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