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
Anthony D'alessandro,
Deadline,
25 May 2026
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
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
Of course, blame Dad for any handicaps.
—
Anthony D'alessandro,
Deadline,
25 May 2026
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
-
Between structural disadvantages, insider advantages, and inconsistent capital allocation, IPO investing is often more speculation than strategy.
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DataHaven found that a legacy of racial and residential segregation has contributed to lingering inequality, with Black and Latino communities facing significant disadvantages and lower quality of life.
Noun
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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.
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Remember, your perspective shapes your reality—choose to see opportunities over obstacles.
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
Noun
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Trump made 327 stock purchases on April 8, 2025, according to a CNBC analysis of the president’s annual financial disclosure for 2025 that includes trades, income and liabilities and was released on Tuesday.
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What those discussions don't always address, though, are the liabilities that may be left behind.
Noun
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Ro said interactive chatbots have technological hurdles to overcome, such as a mismatch between their verbal comments and their facial expressions.
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Meanwhile, the technological and financial hurdles of fighting the sonic boom appeared insurmountable.
Verb
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This systemic lack of dedicated time for preparation and collaboration undermines school improvement efforts, makes the teaching profession less attractive, and directly hinders high-quality instruction.
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This is due, in large part, to expectations of a strong El Niño, which traditionally hinders storm development.
Noun
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The alternating placements of the piles/objects are very precise, which creates a series of chicanes, indicating they are not intended as obstructions but rather to prevent rapid ingress and egress by any vehicle toward the tunnels.
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Recent emergencies have included animals falling off a boat, lacerations from dog fights on the beach, clamshell ingestion, sand impaction, which can cause obstructions in the digestive system, and of course Lyme disease.
Verb
-
Human existence senses that something impedes it from subsisting.
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While the technology assists in officiating and enhances live broadcasts, those sensors can also add uneven mass distribution that impedes a ball's movement in the air.
Cite this Entry
“Handicaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicaps. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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