disadvantage

[ dis-uhd-van-tij, -vahn- ]

noun

1. absence or deprivation of advantage or equality.

   Synonyms: hindrance, inconvenience, drawback

2. the state or an instance of being in an unfavorable circumstance or condition:

   to be at a disadvantage.

3. something that puts one in an unfavorable position or condition:

   His bad temper is a disadvantage.

4. injury to interest, reputation, credit, profit, etc.; loss:

   Your behavior is a disadvantage to your family's good name.

   Synonyms: damage, harm, hurt, detriment

verb (used with object)

, dis·ad·van·taged, dis·ad·van·tag·ing.

1. to subject to disadvantage:

   I was disadvantaged by illness.

disadvantage

/ ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒ /

noun

1. an unfavourable circumstance, state of affairs, thing, person, etc
2. injury, loss, or detriment
3. an unfavourable condition or situation (esp in the phrase at a disadvantage )

verb

1. tr to put at a disadvantage; handicap

Word History and Origins

Origin of disadvantage¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English disavauntage, from Anglo-French; Old French desavantage; equivalent to dis- ¹ + advantage

Example Sentences

Prof Neena Modi, professor of neonatal medicine at Imperial College London, said: "This will disadvantage groups such as women who are sensitive to gluten, eat rice in preference to bread, and products made from wholemeal flour - excluding them and their babies from benefiting, and thus adding to the considerable health inequities that already exist in the UK."

From BBC

It was 14 against 13 when Radadra was initially shown a yellow card, but Fiji responded despite their numerical disadvantage with a fine individual converted try from Muntz as he evaded five Wales defenders.

From BBC

Elena does not shy away from the fact that being a woman has sometimes felt like a disadvantage.

From BBC

Which is why there's a growing push to fund early intervention through education, not incarceration, and trying to reduce marginalisation and disadvantage in the first place.

From BBC

With additional toss-up races in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—and a possible loss in Montana —the party is at a disadvantage.

From Salon

Related Words

• detriment
• harm
• prejudice