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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handicap
Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
Arbeloa went into the match at the Balaidos Stadium without 10 first-team players, either injured or suspended, with training-ground sources highlighting the handicap this situation is posing for the coach.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Don’t even try to handicap the Federal Reserve’s next move, and what will happen in a matter of months when the central bank gets a new leader.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Noun
Young players can be motivated to keep playing more complex games, especially if parents create handicaps that help young kids excel or house rules that are designed for inclusive play.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
Arbeloa went into the match at the Balaidos Stadium without 10 first-team players, either injured or suspended, with training-ground sources highlighting the handicap this situation is posing for the coach.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Detroit Pistons entered Thursday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden handicapped with both centers Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart serving suspensions for their brawl against the Charlotte Hornets before the All-Star break.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Don’t even try to handicap the Federal Reserve’s next move, and what will happen in a matter of months when the central bank gets a new leader.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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If society is looking to keep the underserved at a disadvantage relative to their peers, forcing them to attend failing schools is a good way to go about it.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Mar. 2026
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Charlie makes an excellent point about what the disadvantage might be.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The robot can respond to voice commands and is programmed to keep safe distances from people and obstacles.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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The 21st century’s obstacles for young men—as seen in deaths of despair and lagging employment—have been amply publicized both by credible journalists and by charlatans such as Fuentes.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Garland died in 1969, of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, but the tragedy did not hamper Minnelli’s ascent.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
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His ability to hold runners has hampered him.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Kansas City Chiefs’ planned $3 billion stadium in Wyandotte County cleared a major hurdle on Friday, when the Kansas Legislature passed a bill creating a sports authority and renewing the underlying incentive program that will finance the megaproject.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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The four-person crew of Artemis II is at Kennedy Space Center in Florida preparing to lift off and travel to the moon as early as Wednesday — and getting ready for any hurdles space may throw at them.—
Mark Strassmann,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Noem's contract review policy disproportionately hindered FEMA, which awards massive contracts and funds disaster aid projects that frequently exceed $100,000.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
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The proposal reflects broader concerns Republicans have about regulation and permitting hindering economic development, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained during a speech at the Hill and Valley Forum on Wednesday.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The officers are not seen physically restraining her, but appear to form a barrier between the crowd and ICE agents.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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For students who cannot pursue these degrees without adequate financial aid, this policy will create barriers to entering the field.—
Kaelyn Lara,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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By contrast, laws that appear designed to impede on a religion have been struck down.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Milwaukee Police Department policy states documentation must be done with reasonable distance from police, must not obstruct enforcement or impede other emergency services’ movement.—
Caden Perry,
jsonline.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Dozens of participants were later charged with misdemeanor offenses related to unlawful assembly and obstruction, with many ultimately placed into diversion programs requiring community service.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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The bill now requires the NYPD to form a plan for how to address and limit obstruction, intimidation and physical injury.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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