1
as in disadvantage
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 obstacle
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 to hamper
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 handicap
Geoff Clark Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Keep your eye on the predictions and handicap accordingly, though this field offers a dearth of off-track options.
—
Teresa Genaro,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Catalina suffers from an unspecified mental disability, which Saavedra, who is not handicapped, performs in an arguably inappropriate register of fidgety hands and shifty-eyed glances.
—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Noun
Essentially, my handicap is that Journalism can draft Knightsbridge around the course and outkick the rest of the field on the closing stretch.
—
Geoff Clark Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Keep your eye on the predictions and handicap accordingly, though this field offers a dearth of off-track options.
—
Teresa Genaro,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
The poll confirming Becerra and Hilton as the potential top two finishers is the latest wrinkle in a primary campaign that has been impossible to handicap because none of the serious candidates, originally a dozen out of 61 names on the ballot, stood out as an obvious leader.
—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Catalina suffers from an unspecified mental disability, which Saavedra, who is not handicapped, performs in an arguably inappropriate register of fidgety hands and shifty-eyed glances.
—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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Many of them are single mothers due to structural disadvantages.
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Importantly, the goal isn’t to put junior employees at a disadvantage.
Noun
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But even Johnson is not immune to the bruising consequences of dealing with a president who critics say treats Congress as an obstacle, instead of an equal — frequently flexing his power through executive orders.
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Crews can drive directly into rivers or lakes without installing additional equipment, allowing the vehicle to continue moving even when water obstacles stand in the way.
Verb
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The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.
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Chwalińska took a medical timeout for the injury at the end of the game, and she was clearly hampered by it for the rest of the match.
Noun
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However, there are still some hurdles to surmount, particularly financing.
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Here’s how experts suggest overcoming these hurdles.
Verb
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He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.
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The Great American State Fair kicked off last week, though the 16-day event has been hindered by weather shutdowns, technical difficulties and low attendance.
Noun
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The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather.
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Staffers wheeled the barriers over from the adjacent University of Washington baseball complex.
Verb
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The investigation also compliments previous claims that CCC’s regulations impede coastal infrastructure projects, which has drawn criticism from multiple political fronts over the last year.
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Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.
Noun
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He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.
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Amber Moree, 21, was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with accessory after the fact of murder, obstruction of justice and misprision, according to the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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