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

Further, in the Super Tuesday states of Florida, Texas, and Virginia, Paul is operating at a decided disadvantage.

From The Daily Beast

“The only disadvantage is contrary to President Obama, we definitely have ‘boots on the ground,’” the former Army officer said.

From The Daily Beast

The only slight disadvantage to doing more and more things is you really have to be where the problems are.

From The Daily Beast

So the disadvantage of having multiple things is on a day where everything is going badly on all things.

From The Daily Beast

But Democrats are at a huge disadvantage in outside spending, the study found.

From The Daily Beast

“I don't want any man taken by surprise or at disadvantage; I simply wish for truth,” said he.

From Project Gutenberg

Its disadvantage is that it introduces, with the bread, a variable amount of lactic acid and numerous yeast-cells.

From Project Gutenberg

It was certainly curious, this desire to screen his cousin, to prevent his appearing at a disadvantage.

From Project Gutenberg

(p. 340) In summer the roads are very dusty in California, and this dust is a disadvantage to the tobacco planter.

From Project Gutenberg

The English were at enormous disadvantage in being unable to bring into action their whole force together.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• detriment
• harm
• prejudice