Showing Results for "disadvantaged"

See Also:

• past participle of disadvantage.
• past tense form of disadvantage.

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

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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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• disadvantagedness
  noun
• nondisadvantaged
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of disadvantaged

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

Example Sentences

In 2022, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reinstated the SAT requirement, saying it helps determine applicants’ preparedness and identify promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

But the vote went against the UC Academic Senate’s own Standardized Testing Task Force, which said use of test scores could actually boost admission rates for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and school districts.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

He said the legislation was "unworkable and damaging", adding pubs in particular would be "really disadvantaged", as the buffer rule means they cannot set up a temporary campsite within 100 metres of their venue.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

She also framed DEI as the viewpoint “that the exclusion of historically disadvantaged groups is undesirable.”

From Slate • May 14, 2026

I gave myself all the reasons people ever give to explain why they do not work among the disadvantaged.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• deprived
• impaired
• impoverished
• poor
• underprivileged