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
ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
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
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
Despite its handicaps, Western analysts and officials say Ukraine has in recent months recorded battlefield successes against Russia’s bigger army, disrupting a spring offensive started by Russia amid improving weather, as fields dry out and new foliage on tree lines offers more cover.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
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
-
Speaking at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2024, Huang said one of the biggest disadvantages facing privileged graduates is expecting success to come too easily.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
-
Democrats view the open-seat contest as one of their better statewide opportunities in years, though the party still faces structural disadvantages in turnout during nonpresidential elections.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The finale is leading to a big convention showdown between Hypergnosis and PINATA, which are each working through obstacles that any responsible company would iron out before going public with their product.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
17 May 2026
-
The incidents involving contact with chains, trailer hitches, poles, and curbs indicate recurring limitations in detecting smaller or irregular obstacles, especially during reversing maneuvers.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The large bonuses highlight the impact to Uber’s bottom line from reducing its insurance liabilities.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
-
Traits once seen as stabilizing — empathy, humility, shame — are recast as liabilities in a world that prizes speed, dominance and certainty.—
Sarah DaVanzo,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Ramona High’s Remingtyn Bryant was struggling in the 100-meter hurdles.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Experts warn there are big hurdles to a broader solar revolution, however.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
This imbalance hinders some of the phrasing's sweetness in the vocal harmony.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
Vast terrain hinders search The immediate area in Stewart County where the search is currently contained is covered with big trees and steep hills, as well as snakes and ticks, according to the sheriff.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
If safe, residents are asked to remove any obstructions to the public street, right of way, and sidewalk.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
But the Scot hooked his second shot from a wet fairway on the 609-yard closing hole — a par 5 that yielded only 10 birdies in the final round — and even after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions, MacIntyre could only hit wedge to 30 feet.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
State and federal agencies don’t track data around vitamin K injection refusal or subsequent bleeding, which impedes their ability to quantify and track outcomes, including death.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Let go of whatever impedes your progress.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handicaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicaps. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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