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
-
For hitters, there are advantages and disadvantages, and the time of challenges is important — both in the count and when, in the course of a game, a dispute might be raised.—
Neil Nakahodo,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Yet access is uneven, and many countries outside these major power centers face structural disadvantages.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But some of the obstacles to growth in Half Moon Bay are self-imposed.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The robot can respond to voice commands and is programmed to keep safe distances from people and obstacles.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The blackout means that those without access to Starlink or other ways to communicate have been cut off from communicating with the outside world, which also hampers the ability of Iranians to mobilize against the ruling regime.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
House disclosures show Swalwell has owed between $50,000 and $100,000 on student loans for more than a decade; his most recent paperwork shows the family holds between $15,000 and $50,000 in credit card liabilities apiece for Chase and American Express.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
All of his options come with serious liabilities, not least the fact that Iran appears to consider its own position to be relatively strong, given its de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz and, therefore, the global price of oil.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One of the biggest hurdles for elders seeking guidance when the state intervenes in their personal affairs is the opacity of the Florida law governing adult protection.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The instruments used to make antimatter create interference that hinders its study.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Traveling back across the ocean also hinders preparation for the following week.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Public Works Department was staging equipment, working to clear debris from roads and inspecting drainages for obstructions ahead of the next storm’s arrival Thursday night.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Handicaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicaps. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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