handicap

1 a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success her natural shyness was not a handicap when she played chess Synonyms debit, disbenefit, downside, drawback, disadvantage, incommodity, liability, minus, negative, strikeRelated Words albatross, millstone, stranglehold; disability, impairment; failing, shortcoming; bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammelNear Antonyms vantage; head start, jump, lead, margin, start; ascendancy (also ascendency), better, command, control, drop, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, upper hand; prerogative, privilege; break, opportunity; aid, assistance, helpAntonyms advantage, asset, edge, plus

2 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 balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, fetter, encumbrance, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammelRelated Words catch, hitch, rub, snag; barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall; arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint; embargo, stoppage; delay, holdup, stall; burden, cumber, load; danger, hazard, peril, reef; adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardshipNear Antonyms catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus; advantage, break, edge; aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden (also handmaid), help