disadvantage

American  

[dis-uhd-van-tij, -vahn-] / ˌdɪs ədˈvæn tɪdʒ, -ˈvɑn- /

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

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verb (used with object)

disadvantaged, disadvantaging

1. to subject to disadvantage.

   I was disadvantaged by illness.

disadvantage British  

/ 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 )

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verb

1. (tr) to put at a disadvantage; handicap

Etymology

Origin of disadvantage

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

Example Sentences

I freely admit that in judging “Best Medicine,” my familiarity with “Doc Martin” puts me at a disadvantage — or an advantage, I suppose, depending on how you look at it.

From Los Angeles Times

Good Shepherd in Wolverhampton supports vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city, from rough sleepers to families living in supported accommodation.

From BBC

They added: "The latest data shows childcare capacity is continuing to grow, and our new school-based nurseries and government-funded childcare expansion are already playing a vital role in supporting families in more disadvantaged communities."

From BBC

Building on those findings, three recent studies led by Sylvester researchers point to a connection between breast cancer risk, environmental contamination near Superfund sites, and social disadvantage.

From Science Daily

What is revealed in the film, and puts Ms. Zenovich at a disadvantage, is Mr. Chase’s heart failure in 2021, which led to an eight-day coma and five weeks of hospitalization.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• detriment
• harm
• prejudice