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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Almost 25% of loyalty members are enrolled in more than 3 programs, complexity becomes a direct competitive disadvantage.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Republican Steve Hilton advanced this week to California’s November governor’s race, but the first public look at his matchup with Democrat Xavier Becerra shows the former political commentator starting the general election at a steep disadvantage.—
John Woolfolk,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Autonomy in this case involves being able to reach destinations by using camera images to navigate around obstacles such as craters and pits without the involvement of mission control.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
13 June 2026
-
Despite the obstacles, anticipation has been building across the capital.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Trump has often alleged rampant voter fraud that has hampered Republicans’ success, and his base has largely accepted these sentiments to be true, despite no evidence backing up his accusations.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
Covid pandemic-era border closures hampered exchange between the two sides and later, Pyongyang grew closer to Moscow, deploying what are believed to be thousands of soldiers to aid Russia’s war against Ukraine.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The city witnessed Carl Lewis win four Olympic gold medals, cheered Valerie Brisco-Hooks’ historic golden double and watched Edwin Moses extend his 400-meter hurdles unbeaten streak.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
The antitrust hurdle cleared by Paramount comes as state attorneys general in California, New York and almost a dozen other states are contemplating an antitrust suit to put the brakes on what would become a mega-studio.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 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
-
The technology is also lowering barriers for new entrants.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
11 June 2026
-
Assistant coach Kim Weiss, who broke barriers this season, is expected to be named head coach of the Las Vegas expansion franchise in the PWHL.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Ukraine is rapidly producing cheap drones that impede Russia’s advances.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
Another worker who protested the raid was sentenced to 22 months in prison for using a rock to assault and impede a federal officer.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Julie Chrisley was also charged with wire fraud and obstruction of justice.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Fans were arrested on charges such as suspicion of assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (a knife), reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and trademark counterfeiting, the NYPD said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
