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
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
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 3 June 2025
There are a few things that make handicapping the winners slightly easier.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
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
But Stick is handicapped by predictable story beats that viewers will see coming from hundreds of yards away.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 3 June 2025
There are a few things that make handicapping the winners slightly easier.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
-
Walking away entirely from UNEP would put us at a disadvantage.—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
As my colleague Hayley Smith reports, weakening the three agencies at the start of fire season puts California at a dangerous disadvantage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
These shifts signal a recognition that regulation is not an obstacle to progress but a critical enabler of responsible, adaptive innovation - especially when physically embedded in place.—
Kath Mackay,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Opposition within the medical field is also an obstacle.—
Megan Myscofski,
NPR,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
The service faces regulatory and safety hurdles but has been lauded for its ability to cut traffic congestion and slash emissions.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
-
The vote-a-rama is the last hurdle before a vote on final passage of the bill in the Senate.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
This extensive list of options ensures your absence doesn’t hinder your ability to accrue and use your FSA benefits, reflecting a broader understanding of how adaptable life situations and financial planning must be.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
2 July 2025
-
In addition to drying out the atmosphere, the dust also increases wind shear and atmospheric stability — two other key factors that can hinder storm formation.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Yet, the pace of future development depends on clearing Texas's legislative barriers, securing financing, and restoring confidence among lenders and landowners.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
-
With the advantages in warfare, intelligence, and economy that AI maturity will grant a nation-state, why would leaders put up barriers to achieving it?—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Will this impede efforts to advance gender equality, especially in technology sectors?—
Lauren Buitta,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
But some of the worst economic effects will be felt by future generations, who, according to one Gen Zer interviewed by CNBC, are already concerned the deficit will impede their ability to collect social services.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
DeKalb police charged Guevara with obstruction of police, unlawful assembly and being a pedestrian on the roadway.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
However, Councilmember Paul Dillon proposed another amendment last week that eliminated the notice period and clarified the definition of obstruction.—
Tim Clouser,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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