advantage

n.

1. Preferred condition or circumstance

   luck, favor, approval, help, aid, sanction, leeway, good, patronage, support, preference, choice, odds, protection, start, leg up, helping hand, upper hand, leverage, purchase, hold, favoring circumstance, dominating position, favorable opportunity, superior situation, best estate, vantage, ground, play point, pull*, edge*, ace in the hole*, whip hand*, card up one's sleeve*, drop*, jump*. *

   Antonyms handicap, disadvantage*, drawback. *

2. The result of having an advantage, sense 1

   dominance, superiority, supremacy, lead, influence, vantage, upper hand, power, resources, wealth, mastery, profit, gain, authority, prestige, recognition, position, eminence, preeminence, primacy, hold, sway, precedence, ascendancy, prevalence.

   Antonyms failure*, hindrance*, impotence. *

3. Benefit

   good, gain, benefit, profit, welfare, avail, interest, expediency, improvement, return, behalf, account, sake, worth, comfort, gratification, convenience, help, utility, use, success, emolument, windfall, satisfaction, consolation, enjoyment, pleasure, solace, bounty, favor, boon, weal, blessing, service, compensation, asset, prize, mileage*.

   Antonyms misfortune*, calamity*, catastrophe.

have the advantage of

take advantage of

1. To make use of

   avail oneself of, profit by, make the most of; see use 1.

2. To make unfair use of

   impose upon, exploit, abuse; see abuse 1, deceive.

to advantage