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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handicaps
Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
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
Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026
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
Rams 23, 49ers 20 Lock of the Week Much was made this week about the Bills failing to acquire a wide receiver at the trade deadline and whether that handicaps their Super Bowl chances.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
Young players can be motivated to keep playing more complex games, especially if parents create handicaps that help young kids excel or house rules that are designed for inclusive play.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
Warming permanently handicaps the watershed, shrinking the payoff from wet years.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026
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
Rams 23, 49ers 20 Lock of the Week Much was made this week about the Bills failing to acquire a wide receiver at the trade deadline and whether that handicaps their Super Bowl chances.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicaps
Noun
-
The subsidies have helped offset some of the structural cost disadvantages that manufacturers face in India, including the lack of a China-like robust supply chain and logistics challenges.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Like nearshoring, each friendshoring destination has its advantages and disadvantages.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
All four of those teams have faced obstacles in their path of rebuilding.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Chicago must also remove obstacles to effective policing, use technology such as the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, and update and enforce curfew regulations.—
Juan Rangel,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Transfers that appear reactive can become focal points in litigation, particularly if liabilities were foreseeable before the transaction closed.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The funding will come from the city’s general-fund surplus, generated in part by savings from early pension payments that reduced long-term liabilities.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Easing installation hurdles While OpenClaw has surged in popularity recently, experts have previously pointed out limitations to the AI agent's mass adoption, including a complex installation process that's challenging for nontechnical users.—
Evelyn Cheng,Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s attempts to scale up desalination projects along its southern coast face significant hurdles, including international sanctions, high energy costs, and infrastructure bottlenecks.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.—
thedenverchannel.com,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Altogether, there were some 252 obstructions around Mexico.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The weir prohibits the flow of saltwater into the lagoon and impedes the draining of sediment from the lagoon into the ocean.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
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This gross oversight, which is largely due to a lack of financial backing, impedes reproductive health for everyone.—
Kenneth H. Mayer,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handicaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicaps. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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