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 hypervirulent subpopulation had a fitness disadvantage in the urinary tract—the origin of the infection. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026 Compared with the cost of crime, interventions to offset the disadvantages of deprived environments would be cheap. — Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 This, even while operating at an annual revenue disadvantage. — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 16 July 2026 Her only real disadvantage in playing a fugitive—or an undercover agent—is a presence so unusual, it can’t be believably disguised. — Judy Berman, Time, 15 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
  • This somewhat surprised me given the general expense of things these days.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Operating expenses fell 2%, owing to lower restructuring costs.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of expense
Noun
  • Mick Jagger, 82, said there are only drawbacks to aging in a recent interview.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
  • One of the biggest drawbacks for this card currently is its lack of transfer partners.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 23 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
  • Leaders often face dangerous blind spots, not from incompetence, but from strengths like confidence and decisiveness becoming liabilities.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The letter, signed by leaders of 22 of the EU's 27 states, has turned Spain's crisis into a continent-wide argument that Sánchez's comparatively liberal migration stance has become a liability for the whole bloc.
    — Miguel Macias, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of liability
Noun
  • More than 2 million acres had burned, the center said – that’s twice the previous 10-year average for the period, and the highest loss in 14 years.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Skubal took the loss in the decisive Game 5 of the division series against Cleveland in 2024 and then got a no-decision in a 15-inning loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the division series last year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disadvantage

Nglish: Translation of disadvantage for Spanish Speakers

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