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
Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2025
Basque producers hope for a similar breakthrough, positioning their language not as a handicap but as a marker of distinction.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
The San Diego Padres have a lot of money tied up in their star position players, which handicaps them in free agency.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Noun
EconomyFortune 500 Experts say Trump’s $100,000 fee for a talent visa is a handicap on the tech industry.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2025
Basque producers hope for a similar breakthrough, positioning their language not as a handicap but as a marker of distinction.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
For many Chinese who have plowed their savings into real estate, the market’s collapse handicapped their ability to spend, driving down overall demand.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
The San Diego Padres have a lot of money tied up in their star position players, which handicaps them in free agency.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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For years, the lawsuit alleged, the fire department had manipulated promotional processes to the disadvantage of Black firefighters.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
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Here's what to know about the different snow removal tools, including the best uses and disadvantages for each.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In addition to the giant uncertainty of hemp’s future, there are some serious obstacles for the cannabis industry to get over.—
Will Yakowicz,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Leaders such as midfielder Andi Sullivan and goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, who consistently fielded questions about the off-field obstacles, are still key parts of the team’s leadership in 2026.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Although weather conditions in Charlotte improved Monday, the aftermath of the storm continued to hamper travel plans, resulting in an additional 700 cancellations and 465 delays.—
Chase Jordan
January 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2026
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Read the Story US airlines are still paring back flights as a deep freeze hampers the restart of operations at some major hubs.—
Jordan Erb,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Data security presents another hurdle.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Around the same time as the actions aimed at the five states, the administration put up hurdles to Minnesota for even more federal dollars.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Normally, scent voices are mere whispers compared to the screams and angry shouts of humans, but in that section, certain sensitive plant species shrieked incessantly because of their proximity to plants that hindered their growth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Among the factors hindering higher youth participation, CIRCLE research shows, include confusing registration deadlines and requirements, a lack of youth outreach and a dearth of regular curriculum that teaches young people about elections and voting in school.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Reframing Negotiation as Collaboration Perhaps the biggest mental barrier is viewing negotiation as conflict.—
Kwame Christian Esq,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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For all the progress in the lab, though, money remains a major barrier.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Justice Department has separately opened an investigation into whether Minnesota officials impeded or obstructed federal immigration enforcement though their public statements.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Supply chain disruptions continue to be a persistent risk that could impede production increases and impact margins.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The cameraman appears to be another motorist making his or her way over to get around the obstruction.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Amanda Milsap, 45, was arrested on charges of bribery and obstruction of justice.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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