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
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Horan is a passionate golfer in his own right, carrying an approximate 8-9 handicap and regularly appearing at pro-am events.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But now, environmental advocates worry its storied tenure might finally be coming to an end under plans to reorganize a department already handicapped by staff shortages and strip it of environmental-permitting authority.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Noun
Horan is a passionate golfer with a single-figure handicap of approximately 8-9 and a regular at pro-ams.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Horan is a passionate golfer in his own right, carrying an approximate 8-9 handicap and regularly appearing at pro-am events.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
Teams have been trying to handicap when expansion could hit, going on forecasting retreats and studying what could be the most disruptive team-building moment to hit the league in more than two decades.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But now, environmental advocates worry its storied tenure might finally be coming to an end under plans to reorganize a department already handicapped by staff shortages and strip it of environmental-permitting authority.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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That is a meaningful disadvantage in a race where prize money, sponsor visibility, television exposure and career-defining moments are concentrated near the front.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
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While that might sound like a disadvantage, humans are adaptable, says Martin MacInnis, an associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Calgary.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Another obstacle is that the group hasn’t secured a stadium site.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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Black entrepreneurs continue to face tremendous obstacles securing funding, city contracts and institutional support.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Verb
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New vaccines had been developed to reduce the risk of death from COVID-19, and experts worried that anxiety over needle sticks would hamper uptake.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
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Rescuers at the scene have detailed on social media the challenging mountainous terrain and heavy rain that is hampering the operation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Newport Harbor multi-event standout Natalie McCarty qualified in the 100 and 300 hurdles.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
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Iran is moving its World Cup training base from Tucson to Tijuana, the president of the country’s soccer federation said Saturday, removing one of the final hurdles to its participation in this summer’s tournament.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Current dependence on rare earth elements or precious metals often hinders the widespread adoption of electrolysis systems.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
22 May 2026
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Response efforts in the DRC have been hindered by budget strains at the WHO — which the US left this year — as well as sudden Western aid cuts to Africa.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Finally, Illinois could adopt universal license recognition, which removes barriers for licensed professionals moving from other states.—
Eric Zamparripa,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
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Evans believes spellers who want to win should use their study time efficiently, but there's no barrier to learning every possible word.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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This ruling sets a troubling precedent that undermines protections afforded to interstate commerce and impedes site remediation, as well as the safe and effective long-term management of these materials for customers in Michigan and throughout the country.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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His attempts to impede the certification of the 2020 election led to him being charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, alongside hundreds of January 6th rioters.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Mailyan is due to be sentenced on September 10, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and five years in prison for each count of obstruction.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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Washington, under Trump, views this not as an independent initiative but as an obstruction, and is increasingly willing to use tariffs, energy threats, and diplomatic pressure to bring Paris back into line.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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