A disadvantage is a factor which makes someone or something less useful, acceptable, or successful than other people or things.
His two main rivals suffer the disadvantage of having been long-term political exiles. [+ of]
...the advantages and disadvantages of allowing priests to marry. [+ of]
Synonyms: drawback, trouble, burden, weakness More Synonyms of disadvantage
2.
See at a disadvantage
3.
See to sb's disadvantage
More Synonyms of disadvantage
disadvantage in British English
(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
4. (transitive)
to put at a disadvantage; handicap
disadvantage in American English
(ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒ)
noun
1.
an unfavorable situation or circumstance; drawback; handicap
2.
loss or injury, as to reputation or credit; detriment
verb transitiveWord forms: ˌdisadˈvantaged or ˌdisadˈvanˈtaging
3.
to act to the disadvantage of
Idioms:
at a disadvantage
Word origin
ME disavauntage < OFr desavantage: see di-1 & advantage
Examples of 'disadvantage' in a sentence
disadvantage
The main disadvantage of connecting something to the internet, is that it’s connected to the internet.
Computing (2010)
He has no problem with today's longer trip but a wide draw is a big disadvantage.
The Sun (2016)
The disadvantages that they suffer are serious and cumulative.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But he wrote that the change brought one or two distinct disadvantages.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
One big disadvantage is that you receive no employer contributions to your pot.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Keeping ticket prices low puts us at a significant competitive disadvantage.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The main disadvantages are that group instruction is sometimes costly and not always effective.
Austin, Valerie Self-Hypnosis (1994)
The better news is that good parenting can overcome early disadvantage.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Vulnerable and insecure people are at a huge disadvantage in making informed choices.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
No one should suffer an educational disadvantage on account of their wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Having scale and deep pockets can be a big disadvantage in such circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Europe has a bad habit of putting its companies at a competitive disadvantage globally.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But grants under this section have one serious disadvantage.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The main disadvantage of this method is the cost.
Austin, Valerie Self-Hypnosis (1994)
Now there is an answer that enables us to overcome this disadvantage.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The great disadvantage is its huge cost.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The main disadvantage is that the document is then harder to edit.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Just as importantly he has a familiarity with regulatory thinking that could put peers at a distinct disadvantage.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The big disadvantage of having so many powerful coaches is that players have forgotten how to think for themselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They may always suffer a pricing disadvantage because they cannot hope to enjoy the same sort of economies of scale.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They argue that this puts them at a competitive disadvantage and have been looking for ways to redress the balance.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The bears can no longer hunt their prey on foot and venturing into the ocean puts them at a distinct disadvantage.
The Sun (2009)
But they face serious disadvantages too.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A requirement which worked to the comparative disadvantage of a person approaching compulsory retirement age was indirectly discriminatory on grounds of age.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
disadvantage
British English: disadvantage /ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒ/ NOUN
A disadvantage is a part of a situation which causes problems.
Every job has its disadvantages.
American English: disadvantage
Arabic: عَيْب
Brazilian Portuguese: desvantagem
Chinese: 劣势
Croatian: nedostatak
Czech: nevýhoda
Danish: ulempe
Dutch: nadeel
European Spanish: desventaja
Finnish: haitta
French: inconvénient
German: Nachteil
Greek: μειονέκτημα
Italian: svantaggio
Japanese: 不利
Korean: 불리
Norwegian: ulempe
Polish: niekorzyść
European Portuguese: desvantagem
Romanian: dezavantaj
Russian: недостаток
Latin American Spanish: desventaja
Swedish: nackdel
Thai: ข้อเสีย
Turkish: dezavantaj
Ukrainian: недолік
Vietnamese: sự bất lợi
Chinese translation of 'disadvantage'
disadvantage
(dɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒ)
n(c/u)
(= drawback) 不利 (bùlì) (种(種), zhǒng)
to be or work to sb's disadvantage对(對)某人不利 (duì mǒurén bùlì)
to be at a disadvantage处(處)于(於)不利地位 (chǔ yú bùlì dìwèi)
1 (noun)
Definition
an unfavourable or harmful circumstance
They suffer the disadvantage of having been political exiles.
Synonyms
drawback
The only drawback was that the apartment was too small.
trouble
burden
weakness
His main weakness was his bad temper.
handicap
Being a foreigner was not a handicap.
liability
What was once a vote-catching policy is now a political liability.
minus (informal)
flaw
hardship
Many people are suffering economic hardship.
nuisance
He can be a bit of a nuisance when he's drunk.
It's a real nuisance having to pick up the kids from school every day.
snag
A police crackdown hit a snag when villains stole one of their cars.
inconvenience
We apologize for any inconvenience caused during the repairs.
downside
There is a downside to this.
impediment
There is no legal impediment to the marriage.
hindrance
Higher rates have been a hindrance to economic recovery.
privation
weak point
fly in the ointment (informal)
Opposites
benefit
,
advantage
,
merit
,
convenience
2 (noun)
Definition
an unfavourable or harmful circumstance
An attempt to prevent an election would be to their disadvantage.
Synonyms
harm
It would probably do the economy more harm than good.
loss
His death is a great loss to us.
damage
There have been many reports of minor damage to buildings.
injury
The two other passengers escaped serious injury.
hurt
I am sorry for any hurt that it may have caused.
prejudice
I feel sure it can be done without prejudice to anybody's principles.
detriment
He supported his partner's career to the detriment of his own.
disservice
You could do yourself a grave disservice.
Opposites
help
,
benefit
,
aid
,
profit
,
gain
,
advantage
,
convenience
(verb)
Competition could reduce liquidity and disadvantage some investors.
Synonyms
handicap
Greater levels of stress may seriously handicap some students.
limit
He limited payments on the country's foreign debt.
restrict
The shoulder straps restrict movement.
hamstring
He could hamstring a conservative-led coalition.
hamper
I was hampered by a lack of information.
hold back
hinder
Landslides are continuing to hinder the arrival of relief supplies.
retard
Continuing violence will retard negotiations.
impede
Fallen rocks are impeding the progress of rescue workers.
hobble
A decrease in export activity hobbles our economy.
place at a disadvantage
phrase
See at a disadvantage
Additional synonyms
in the sense of damage
Definition
injury or harm caused to a person or thing
There have been many reports of minor damage to buildings.
Synonyms
destruction,
harm,
loss,
injury,
suffering,
hurt,
ruin,
crushing,
wrecking,
shattering,
devastation,
detriment,
mutilation,
impairment,
annihilation,
ruination
in the sense of detriment
Definition
disadvantage or damage
He supported his partner's career to the detriment of his own.