Synonyms of handicap

handicap 1 of 2

noun

ˈhan-di-ˌkap 

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

• disadvantage
• shortcoming
• drawback
• liability
• negative
• debit
• downside
• minus
• disability
• obstacle
• strike
• incommodity
• disbenefit
• impairment
• hurdle
• stranglehold
• millstone
• failing
• albatross
• impediment
• hindrance
• interference
• obstruction
• embarrassment
• let
• hitch
• rub
• shackle
• catch
• crimp
• clog
• stop
• trammel
• bar
• check
• manacle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advantage
• asset
• edge
• plus
• margin
• control
• vantage
• lead
• start
• superiority
• jump
• privilege
• predominance
• mastery
• supremacy
• ascendancy
• transcendence
• opportunity
• drop
• head start
• command
• upper hand
• assistance
• prerogative
• aid
• ascendency
• break
• help
• better

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

• obstacle
• hurdle
• barrier
• obstruction
• embarrassment
• interference
• impediment
• hindrance
• burden
• encumbrance
• let
• inhibition
• deterrent
• shackles
• constraint
• chain
• stumbling block
• cramp
• block
• load
• stop
• disadvantage
• hitch
• drag
• balk
• bar
• delay
• trammel
• crimp
• brake
• clog
• holdback
• danger
• difficulty
• fetter
• hazard
• stone wall
• blockade
• manacle
• rub
• blockage
• curb
• brick wall
• arrest
• catch
• hardship
• embargo
• restraint
• stoppage
• rein
• drawback
• stall
• snag
• hobble
• bit
• reef
• peril
• adversity
• holdup
• check
• cumber

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incentive
• advantage
• stimulus
• impetus
• catalyst
• spur
• edge
• benefit
• assistance
• aid
• break
• stimulant
• goad
• help
• boost
• handmaid
• handmaiden

handicap

2 of 2

verb

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

• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• embarrass
• obstruct
• delay
• cramp
• interfere (with)
• tie up
• hobble
• inhibit
• shackle
• stymie
• block
• hold back
• encumber
• handcuff
• fetter
• restrain
• disrupt
• tie
• short-circuit
• trammel
• clog
• constrain
• frustrate
• thwart
• retard
• cramp one's style
• hog-tie
• curb
• brake
• manacle
• hold up
• give a hard time
• bog (down)
• balk
• check
• rein
• bind
• stifle
• barricade
• tether
• retain
• leash
• roadblock
• baffle
• blockade
• arrest
• choke
• sabotage
• confine
• chain
• mire
• muzzle
• foil
• hem (in)
• hedge (in)
• strangle
• derail
• halter
• stump
• smother
• repress
• suffocate
• suppress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aid
• assist
• help
• facilitate
• open
• free
• make way
• clear
• liberate
• release
• unstop
• promote
• smooth
• further
• unclog
• loosen
• encourage
• untie
• unplug

Examples of handicap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

When Britain leaves the EU, British financial services companies would lose the automatic right to operate in all the other 27 EU states, a big handicap. —Washington Post, 23 June 2017

One man, who has a handicap, had to escape through a window, according to media reports. —Robert A. Cronkleton, kansascity.com, 21 June 2017

Verb

All the uncertainty sent Treasury yields on a wild ride in the bond market as traders tried to handicap the Fed’s next moves. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

So far, the unions are sticking with the Biden administration despite widespread fears that his age handicaps his candidacy after his shaky performance in the June 27 debate. —Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2024