disadvantaged

adjective

dis·​ad·​van·​taged ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tijd How to pronounce disadvantaged (audio)
: lacking in the basic resources or conditions (such as standard housing, medical and educational facilities, and civil rights) believed to be necessary for an equal position in society
disadvantagedness noun

Examples of disadvantaged in a Sentence

The program provides aid for economically disadvantaged groups. disadvantaged families struggling to get by will be benefited by changes in the tax code
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a blog post published on Thursday, the tech giant said these rules disadvantaged allies, including India, Switzerland and Israel, and limited the ability of U.S. tech companies to build and expand AI data centers in these countries. Arsheeya Bajwa, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 By weaponizing bias against itself — using prestigious cultural signals to be grouped with the elite — disadvantaged minorities can hack the system and carve out new spaces for themselves. Bethany Thompson, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025 The Department of Education was created primarily to distribute funding—particularly for disadvantaged students—and enforce civil rights laws in schools. Mallory Hutchings-Tryon / Made By History, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025 Trump hasn't followed suit, but such criticism coincides with an increasing willingness among Republicans to attack affirmative action, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and other initiatives designed to ensure fairness for historically disadvantaged groups. Marc Caputo, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disadvantaged

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disadvantaged was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Disadvantaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disadvantaged. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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