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
• 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
• 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
• short-circuit
• disrupt
• tie
• trammel
• clog
• constrain
• frustrate
• retard
• cramp one's style
• hog-tie
• thwart
• curb
• brake
• manacle
• hold up
• give a hard time
• bog (down)
• balk
• check
• rein
• bind
• stifle
• barricade
• tether
• retain
• leash
• roadblock
• blockade
• arrest
• baffle
• choke
• sabotage
• confine
• chain
• mire
• muzzle
• foil
• hem (in)
• hedge (in)
• derail
• strangle
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handicap

Noun

As for the 15 handicap, their biggest fear would be losing both golf balls and having to embarrassingly ask their playing partner for a spare. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Even using that handicap, however, this El Niño is on track to be unprecedented. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

Should we be handed another gadget that could handicap our social skills? — Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Who else was astute enough to recognize the potential of a Sun Devil when handicapping hypothetical mascot fights? — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 2 June 2026