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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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
Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
While my colleague, pop music critic Mikael Wood, has handicapped his favorites and underdogs for the 67th edition of the awards show, perhaps his more ambitious project was to rank all 66 songs that previously won record the year.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025
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
His extensive injuries handicapped him and robbed him of his quality of life.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
While my colleague, pop music critic Mikael Wood, has handicapped his favorites and underdogs for the 67th edition of the awards show, perhaps his more ambitious project was to rank all 66 songs that previously won record the year.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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This strategy works well for generic roles but puts startups and small businesses at a disadvantage.—
Sweta Khandelwal,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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The team played the entire second half at a man disadvantage after a Patrick Dorgu red card.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Take Calculated Risks; Start Lean Entrepreneurs should welcome uncertainty as a catalyst, not an obstacle.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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In Region 4 in Spokane, the biggest obstacle facing the No. 2 seed Huskies is No. 1 seed USC — which defeated UConn in Hartford in December.—
Scott Phillips,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Both Iran and North Korea could then use Russian nuclear and missile technology to develop advanced weapons that would hamper the U.S. military’s response options in East Asia and the Middle East—and even threaten the American homeland.—
Christopher S. Chivvis,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Mar. 2025
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Over recent weeks, CISA employees, all speaking on the condition of anonymity, had told Forbes morale was low and concerns were high that important work was being hampered by the cuts.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The case will face significant hurdles, particularly because Gastineau and Favre are public figures whose interaction was recorded in front of a group of people.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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The Senate passed the bill in a 54 to 46 vote, with one Republican opposing it and two Democrats supporting it after 10 Democrats provided the votes earlier Friday to advance the measure through a key procedural hurdle.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, some connections hinder, rather than help, professional progress.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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His zone swing percentage is higher than average but is going to have to be at Freddie Freeman levels to hinder teams in effectively pitching around him.—
Michael Salfino,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Moreover, less than 5% of Brazil’s Black population speaks English — meaning Black founders are typically up against a significant barrier to international opportunities.—
Angelica Mari,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Trump and his administration have been working to break down the legal barriers preventing presidents from removing independent agency officials at will.—
Kaelan Deese,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Records showed that Worthy had been arrested Friday by deputies and held in the county jail on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded, or choking in common terms.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy was arrested Friday and booked into a central Texas jail on suspicion of assault of a family member by impeding breathing/circulation, according to Williamson County, Texas jail records.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Man threatened, attacked latter carrier over several months The Justice Department became aware of Franklin's actions toward the carrier after the United States Postal Inspection Service received a complaint about Franklin possibly committing threats and obstruction against the employee.—
Krystal Nurse,
USA TODAY,
14 Mar. 2025
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Since the start of 2025, 26 drivers have been injured in traffic incidents in Missouri caused by foreign objects or obstructions in the road, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol data.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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