Disadvantage — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij/ dis·ad·van·tage

Meaning & Definition of Disadvantage

Disadvantage (noun)

  1. loss or damage especially to reputation, credit, or finances, detriment
  2. an unfavorable, inferior, or prejudicial condition
  3. a quality or circumstance that makes achievement unusually difficult, handicap

Disadvantage (verb)

  1. to place at a disadvantage, harm

Disadvantage (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success

    "their lack of height was a disadvantage on the basketball court"

    similar: debit, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, liability, minus, negative, strike
    related: albatross, millstone, stranglehold, disability, impairment, failing, shortcoming, bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel
    opposite: advantage, asset, edge, plus
    near: vantage, head start, jump, lead, margin, start, ascendancy, better, command, control, drop, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, upper hand, prerogative, privilege, break, opportunity, aid, assistance, help

  2. the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success

    "intense pretrial publicity worked to our disadvantage"

    similar: despite, detriment, disfavor, penalty
    related: deficit, deprivation, expense, loss, damage, harm, hurt, injury, prejudice
    opposite: advantage, favor
    near: gain

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Disadvantage

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disadvantage:

debit, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, liability, minus, negative, strike, despite, detriment, disfavor, penalty

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disadvantage

Words with the opposite meaning of Disadvantage:

advantage, asset, edge, plus, favor

Related Words for Disadvantage

albatross, millstone, stranglehold, disability, impairment, failing, shortcoming, bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel, deficit, deprivation, expense, loss

Near Antonyms of Disadvantage

vantage, head start, jump, lead, margin, start, ascendancy, better, command, control, drop, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, upper hand, prerogative, privilege, break, opportunity, aid, assistance, help, gain

Word Forms of Disadvantage

Inflections: disadvantaged, disadvantaging, disadvantages

Origin & Etymology of Disadvantage

Middle English disavauntage, from Anglo-French desavantage, from des- dis- + avantage advantage

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Disadvantage

Words & Phrases Containing Disadvantage

put/place someone at a disadvantage, to someone's disadvantage

Frequently Asked Questions about Disadvantage

What does "Disadvantage" mean?

"Disadvantage" means loss or damage especially to reputation, credit, or finances, detriment. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: loss or damage especially to reputation, credit, or finances, detriment. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Disadvantage"?

Other words for "Disadvantage" include debit, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, liability and minus. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disadvantage" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disadvantage"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disadvantage". Common alternatives include debit, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, liability, minus, negative and strike.

What is the opposite of "Disadvantage"?

Antonyms of "Disadvantage" include advantage, asset, edge, plus and favor. Near antonyms include vantage, head start, jump and lead.

How do you use "Disadvantage" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disadvantage" in a sentence: "their lack of height was a disadvantage on the basketball court"; "intense pretrial publicity worked to our disadvantage".

Is "Disadvantage" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disadvantage" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Disadvantage" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Disadvantage" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Disadvantage"?

"Disadvantage" is pronounced /ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij/ and divided into syllables as dis·ad·van·tage.