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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handicap
Evan Moore
august 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2025
Realistically, a 10 handicap would have a tough time breaking 90 from the tips at Caves Valley.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
The implications will likely emerge sporadically over a span of years and are not particularly useful for handicapping the market’s immediate prospects from here.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Noun
In North Carolina, handicap placards and specialty license plates allow those with mobility impairments to parktheir vehicles closer to a destination.
—Evan Moore
august 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2025
Realistically, a 10 handicap would have a tough time breaking 90 from the tips at Caves Valley.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Depth was thin by the end of the season, and the group’s performance handicapped what could have been a stellar season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
The implications will likely emerge sporadically over a span of years and are not particularly useful for handicapping the market’s immediate prospects from here.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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That is a real problem which of course… to prevent wealth from killing people—your success turning into a disadvantage—is a big problem in business.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The lawyer said a lack of online presence as a result of a disabled account put him at a competitive disadvantage.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The difficulty in getting rid of players other than those whose contracts expired this summer (Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez and Jesus Vallejo) was a significant obstacle.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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To overcome this obstacle, the MIT team employed lithium-6 atoms, a rare isotope whose resonance frequency shifts depending on temperature.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And the new administration may be further hampering those plans.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Even if the discharge petition is successful, the underlying bill would have to clear many more hurdles.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
8 Sep. 2025
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Reports have also pointed to practical hurdles for Optimus, including production bottlenecks, hand dexterity issues, and leadership turnover on the program.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The share of businesses saying that lack of transparency was hindering operations fell by 12 percentage points to 16%.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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These challenges not only hinder women’s economic advancement but also limit businesses from reaching their full potential.—
C200,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Affordable Care Act in 2010 expanded access to the reviews, but barriers regularly get in the way of the process serving as a true check on insurers.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Modi was responding to a post by Trump on Truth Social, which said that New Delhi and Washington were continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers between both nations.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Bundys and several others in the vehicles were arrested and charged with multiple federal crimes, including conspiracy to impede federal officers.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
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Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Wind giant Ørsted sues White House Energy giant Ørsted and two US states sued the White House over its obstruction of a near-complete offshore wind farm, part of the administration’s move away from renewables.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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O'Dell pleaded guilty earlier this year to arson, damage to religious property and obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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