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

Howard qualified as a mechanic and spent five years working for Audi in Cork, fitting practice and tournaments around the demands of a full-time job and reached a plus-two handicap. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 4 July 2026

For more serious violations, such as parking in a handicap space or in front of a fire hydrant, drivers will receive a 15-minute text warning. — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Verb

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

The poll confirming Becerra and Hilton as the potential top two finishers is the latest wrinkle in a primary campaign that has been impossible to handicap because none of the serious candidates, originally a dozen out of 61 names on the ballot, stood out as an obvious leader. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 28 May 2026