handicap

²handicap

verb

handicappedhandicap·ping

Definition of HANDICAP

transitive verb

1

a : to give a handicap to b : to assess the relative winning chances of (contestants) or the likely winner of (a contest)

2

: to put at a disadvantage

Examples of HANDICAP

1. It's very hard to handicap the election at this point.
2. <the baseball player's small size did not handicap him in the least>

First Known Use of HANDICAP

1852

Related to HANDICAP

Synonyms: clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, hamper, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel

Antonyms: aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words: balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)

Near Antonyms: clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promote

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