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
Ben Goggin, NBC news, 8 May 2025
So what you're left with in terms of handicapping the race for pope is the endless guess-work by the Vatican experts at Rome's top media outlets.
—Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 22 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
Security advocates have praised the proliferation of the technology, but many law enforcement and child safety advocates have said that widespread use of end-to-end encryption will severely handicap the ability of law enforcement and tech companies to detect crime on their platforms.
—Ben Goggin, NBC news, 8 May 2025
So what you're left with in terms of handicapping the race for pope is the endless guess-work by the Vatican experts at Rome's top media outlets.
—Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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Beadle is at a distinct disadvantage in aspiring to one spot where Brighton have an abundance of depth.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
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The state’s labor costs also put California’s growers at a disadvantage.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article The path back to the pinnacle was littered with obstacles.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
21 June 2025
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But there’s a major obstacle: municipalities, not the national government, are responsible for managing stray animals.—
Lisa Klaassen,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Verb
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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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 June 2025
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Critics, however, say that would hamper recovery efforts.—
Melanie Stetson Freeman,
Christian Science Monitor,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Those are hurdles for many of the most vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries, many of whom are young adults.—
Alice Park,
Time,
18 June 2025
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All of these had been manageable hurdles this postseason.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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However, rather than hindering its movement, this feature is actually an adaptation that enhances its ability to survive in a diverse range of North American habitats.—
Smithsonian magazine,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 June 2025
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And continuing to avoid important financial conversations when a child returns home as an adult can further hinder a boomerang child's ability to navigate future financial decisions, Gonzalez says.—
Natalie Wu,
CNBC,
19 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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This month she was indicted on three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
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The indictment, announced earlier this month, accuses McIver of three counts: two felonies for assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers—each carrying up to eight years in prison—and a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The 71-year-old was convicted in July 2024 of 16 counts, including extortion, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
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According to records from the DeKalb County jail, where the reporter remains detained, he was charged with improperly entering a pedestrian roadway, obstruction of law enforcement officers and unlawful assembly.—
Marlon Sorto,
CNN Money,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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