1
as in disadvantages
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success
her natural shyness was not a handicap when she played chess
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacles
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hampers
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 handicaps
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Secondary school students in less affluent states will find themselves with substandard educational offerings that may serve as handicaps when those students compete with those who have benefited from enriched educational opportunities provided in wealthier states.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
All of the electric buses are equipped with accessories for students with handicaps.
—Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
The cars' real handicaps were a lack of liquid cooling for the battery packs.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Secondary school students in less affluent states will find themselves with substandard educational offerings that may serve as handicaps when those students compete with those who have benefited from enriched educational opportunities provided in wealthier states.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
All of the electric buses are equipped with accessories for students with handicaps.
—Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicaps
Noun
-
Colorism refers to discrimination where individuals of the same race receive benefits or disadvantages based on their skin tone.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Each provides certain advantages and disadvantages; see my analysis at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In woodpeckers and other birds, the wing joints are reinforced by a network of soft, prestressed connective tissue that helps absorb shocks from collisions with obstacles.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Sep. 2025
-
But knowing how to stay motivated and keep showing up in the face of everyday obstacles such as lack of time, illness or competing priorities is the most common reason people fall off the wagon – and therefore need the most support.—
Masha Remskar,
The Conversation,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The company has between $100,000 and $500,000 in liabilities, the documents continued.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Hesitation and complexity are liabilities; clarity and rapid execution are non-negotiable.—
Daniel Schmeltz,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But even if the cultural hesitation fades, there are a few hurdles unique to building platonic bonds online.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Taking on the 400 meters, specifically, was a switch for the track star, whose trademark event is the 400-meter hurdles.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That kind of overload hinders change and makes future efforts more challenging.—
Daniel Schmeltz,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Nevertheless, the lack of efficient electrolytes with fast hydride ion conductivity, thermal stability, and electrode compatibility hinders their practical applications.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In 2025, Roborock launched a vacuum cleaner with a robotic arm for moving socks and other obstructions out of the way.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
21 Aug. 2025
-
It’s bound to be laden with obstructions and those looking to undermine change.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The university has also cracked down on chalking on campus sidewalks, which critics say impedes the free speech rights of students.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicaps. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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