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)

disadvantaged, disadvantaging 

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

The party said it would try to close the gap with England to ensure trainee teachers in Wales were not financially disadvantaged.

Read more on BBC

But she believes systemic racism – a point acknowledged in the race equality action plan for Wales – only serves to further disadvantage women.

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As the use of AI continues to explode within education, these are the advantages and disadvantages students and teachers are weighing.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For most teams, playing so much short-handed hockey would be a major disadvantage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And before the Americans ever teed off, strategic miscues placed them at a crushing disadvantage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• detriment 
• harm 
• prejudice