1
as in disadvantage
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success
her natural shyness was not a handicap when she played chess
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
her uncomfortable shoes became a handicap on the walking tour of the city, as she often had to sit and rest her sore feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hamper
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the baseball player's small size did not handicap him in the least
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of handicap
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 May 2026
That is, after establishing their handicap, the slowest runners start first, and the fastest runners go off last.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The conflict has led to big swings in equities, bonds, currencies and commodities markets, with traders trying to handicap how long the war will last.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Noun
Of course, blame Dad for any handicaps.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 May 2026
That is, after establishing their handicap, the slowest runners start first, and the fastest runners go off last.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Verb
The previous mission, launched in 2023, was envisioned to include 2,500 personnel and was led by the Kenyan police, but it was handicapped by a lack of staff and funds.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The conflict has led to big swings in equities, bonds, currencies and commodities markets, with traders trying to handicap how long the war will last.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
-
Consider both carefully, then, as each comes with significant advantages and disadvantages in today's economy.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Circumstances have put them at every possible disadvantage.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Despite these obstacles, the Cuban government faces a short window for obtaining results, said Paolo Spadoni, associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University in Georgia.—
Andrea Rodríguez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Rather than simply advocating for preservation, the organization is working directly with property owners to better understand what obstacles stand in the way of restoring some of Hollywood’s most recognizable landmarks.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Popular notions of philanthropy as merely a game for the ultrawealthy to fund partisan projects and commit fraud have left the sector vulnerable to political attacks, as the Council on Foundations sees it, influencing policies that hamper essential community services.—
James Pollard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Congolese health authorities have previously said contact tracing has been hampered by community resistance in some areas and by the rapid expansion of the outbreak into new health zones, increasing the workload for surveillance teams.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
But the technology still faces hurdles, experts said, and labor groups including the Teamsters are raising alarms over safety and availability of jobs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
Cuban leaders like former President Raúl Castro – who still wields significant power on the island – have sought to push forward more limited reforms of Cuba’s economy in the past, but efforts have run into bureaucratic hurdles.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
As President Cyril Ramaphosa deploys soldiers and orders probes into police corruption, widespread allegations of collusion with syndicates deepen residents’ mistrust and hinder investigations into such brazen attacks.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
More than four years since the start of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, the more than 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has remained largely static as swarms of drones hinder advances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Darren Aronofsky has now crossed the AI barrier as well, using it to make a series of web videos about the Revolutionary War.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 June 2026
-
Video posted to social media showed the plane on its side and smashed into a highway barrier as the tail was ripped from the fuselage.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The score was immediately protested by the Australians, who felt their goalkeeper had been impeded or there was an offside.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Too large a rotor can obstruct your suspension, impede your brakes and often won’t even fit inside your wheel or caliper.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
He was charged with stalking, disturbing the peace and obstruction for failure to identify himself to law enforcement.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Latino drivers made up 38% of stops for window obstruction.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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