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Showing results for "disadvantaged"
Synonyms

disadvantaged

American  
[dis-uhd-van-tijd] / ˌdɪs ədˈvæn tɪdʒd /

adjective

  1. lacking the normal or usual necessities and comforts of life, as proper housing, educational opportunities, job security, adequate medical care, etc..

    The government extends help to disadvantaged minorities.

    Synonyms:
    deprived, impoverished, underprivileged, poor

noun

(used with a plural verb)
  1. Usually the disadvantaged disadvantaged persons collectively.

    The senator advocates increased funding for federal programs that aid the disadvantaged.

disadvantaged British  
/ ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒd /

adjective

  1. socially or economically deprived or discriminated against

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of disadvantaged

First recorded in 1930–35; disadvantage + -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He said: "It does nothing to address the chronic underfunding that has disadvantaged policing in Cleveland for years."

From BBC Sep. 1, 2026

He added, “An attitude at the negotiation table that Canada is a subsidiary of the United States, the Canadian industry is going to be disadvantaged relative to American industry…That’s not something we’re going to accept.”

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 25, 2026

In Gamper's view, women should not be financially disadvantaged because of their anatomy or because they need cubicles for safety reasons, for example.

From Barron's Aug. 15, 2026

Only 38 schools in the highest category for disadvantaged pupils hit the swimming target.

From BBC Aug. 11, 2026

Still, I continued to receive invitations to conferences to discuss the problems of the disadvantaged.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

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