Literary notes about disadvantageous (AI summary)
The term "disadvantageous" is used in literature to highlight conditions, positions, or outcomes that are inherently unfavorable or suboptimal. In military and strategic contexts, authors describe battle formations or positions as disadvantageous even when they appear strong at first glance—for instance, a leader’s ostensibly robust position may be deemed “exceedingly disadvantageous” due to situational shortcomings [1]. In economic and technical writings, unfavorable market conditions or methodological limitations are labeled as disadvantageous to emphasize a lack of benefit, as seen when employment choices or exchanges are critiqued [2][3]. This term also appears across various disciplines to denote a comparative deficit, underscoring how an aspect that might seem neutral or even desirable can, in particular contexts, turn out to be significantly detrimental [4].
- Lee’s position at Fredericksburg, strong as it might appear, was exceedingly disadvantageous.
— from Paradise Lost by John Milton - Every man's interest would prompt him to seek the advantageous, and to shun the disadvantageous employment.
— from An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith - Its object was to relieve the merchants from the inconvenience of a disadvantageous exchange.
— from An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith - Our disadvantageous position would not allow us to offer any resistance, and our party was too small to fight them.
— from Human Bullets: A Soldier's Story of Port Arthur by Tadayoshi Sakurai
