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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
-
Actual research on the topic is still uneven, however, and a study published last year indicated trans women who take hormone therapy may face significant disadvantages compared to their cis peers in metrics like vertical leap and oxygen consumption.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
27 Oct. 2025
-
When asked about potential disadvantages, Roberson said officials hear from educators who can be reluctant to adjust lesson plans.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sununu ultimately prevailed in his 2002 Senate campaign, but not without criticism and obstacles from the pro-Israel lobby due to his voting record, which some Jewish organizations and leaders perceived as anti-Israel.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
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With fewer obstacles in the air than on the road, autonomous flight might actually prove safer than driving.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Damage to the blood-brain barrier leads to inflammation within the brain and hampers the clearance of waste products like beta-amyloid protein (seen in Alzheimer's disease).—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Kolfage is alleged to have used the funds to pay for home renovations, make payments on a boat, and purchase a luxury sports utility vehicle, cosmetic surgery and to pay off credit card debt and personal tax liabilities.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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But companies that are still waiting and seeing might want to get a move on because any liabilities that come will come quickly, Conklin said.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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One of the largest hurdles was ensuring that behavior learned on Earth would translate to space, an issue often called the Sim2Real gap.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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Yet many Venezuelans are facing significant hurdles when seeking asylum in the United States and elsewhere.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Inertia hinders many consumers from seeking out higher rates.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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But biologists know relatively little about how these aggressive cells function, which hinders knowledge of cancer progression and resistance.—
Perri Thaler,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The tablets will also note street obstructions.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Oct. 2025
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If possible, position yourself in a flat, open area with minimal tree cover, rocks, cliffs, or other obstructions that may block the sound of the whistle.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Let go of whatever impedes your progress and growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
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If a mental image only impedes the human’s process of emulation, why should her mindedness make Celmins’s web less natural than the spider’s?—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicaps. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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