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
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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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of handicap
Washington Post, 23 June 2017
One man, who has a handicap, had to escape through a window, according to media reports.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, kansascity.com, 21 June 2017
Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
One player will be the striker, equipped with boxing gloves but handicapped by a blindfold.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handicap 
Noun
When Britain leaves the EU, British financial services companies would lose the automatic right to operate in all the other 27 EU states, a big handicap.
—Washington Post, 23 June 2017
One man, who has a handicap, had to escape through a window, according to media reports.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, kansascity.com, 21 June 2017
Verb
On top of that, he was handicapped by those heavy work shoes.
—Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
One player will be the striker, equipped with boxing gloves but handicapped by a blindfold.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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For several decades, solo cruise travelers found themselves at a financial disadvantage compared to couples and families.David Nikel, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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Dolphins will be at a rest disadvantage the rest of the way Miami will play the Texans coming off a bye, meaning Houston will have a full seven-day rest advantage.Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Here are steps that can help ensure a smooth integration process, addressing potential obstacles and strategies to overcome them: 1.Brian Moroney, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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But Republicans would have undone more had there been fewer procedural obstacles.David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For years, Kazakhstan has worked with Jewish groups to repeal Cold War-era legislation hampering trade with the United States.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
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Shacks and buildings were left completely destroyed when the cyclone struck the nation hampered by poverty.Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That’s a hurdle the PFL isn’t likely to push in Verhoeven’s path.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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There are no logistical barriers, there are no hurdles.Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Jermaine Johnson’s absence due to a season-ending Achilles injury has hindered the Jets’ pass rush.Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024
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Trump frequently criticized Powell during his first term, accusing the Fed of keeping rates too high and hindering economic growth.Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This model has democratized online retail, giving sellers access to global markets with few barriers to entry.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
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Delays, opaque fees, poor communication, and high barriers to access can all erode trust in cross-border payments.Dean DeBiase, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Sauer had argued that the continuation of the case, which is currently on appeal, will impede the Republican from carrying out his presidential duties.Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
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These hydroelectric dams also impeded fish migration for nearly a century.Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Imaging: Healthcare providers use X-ray, ultrasound, or specialized imaging methods like magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to screen for signs of duct obstruction, rule out other causes of symptoms, or assess disease progress.Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Dec. 2024
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Lisa Marie died in January 2023 at age 54 of bowel obstruction.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near handicap
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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