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
Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
Next week’s options expiration is handicapped to exert an upward bias.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Mar. 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
The early flights were handicapped by bulky suits and an unanticipated need for gloves capable of precise movement.
—Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
Next week’s options expiration is handicapped to exert an upward bias.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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Mitch Raposo: Mitch Raposo needed to negate an eight-inch reach disadvantage against Sumudaerji.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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Despite its disadvantages, single living is on the rise.—
Peter McGraw,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Significant obstacles remain: insufficient private investment, market fragmentation across 27 member states, and regulatory complexity could undermine Europe's ambitions.—
Federico Guerrini,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.—
Jay Ruderman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Aly Song | Reuters Trump's tariffs on China are already hampering Christmas sales.—
Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Jeff Cox,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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The daytime setting undermined their gimmicks, and Wyatt's early ankle injury hampered his performance, leading to a slow, unengaging match that failed to live up to the intriguing potential of the pairing.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These financial hurdles can lead to the perception that technology adoption simply isn’t worth it.—
James Lindsey,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Now that many of the technical hurdles have been cleared, stem cells appear poised to offer a new treatment option for Parkinson's, and perhaps other brain diseases like epilepsy or Alzheimer's.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Arbitrary rules shouldn’t hinder deserved recognition.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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However, choosing to avoid office politics can seriously hinder your career growth.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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They are often arranged in multiple staggered rows and embedded into the ground, sometimes accompanied by trenches or additional barriers to enhance their effectiveness.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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The barrier, essentially the maritime version of a wall, was meant to deter immigrants from crossing in certain areas.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Williams’ Carlos Sainz initially qualified 12th but was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Hamilton, causing a shakeup in the order of those who were knocked out in Q2.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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Maintaining a vigorous, healthy lawn is a good way to impede weed establishment and problematic perennials like dandelions.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, Michael was previously arrested in 2020 and charged with a misdemeanor offense of criminal obstruction of breathing and second-degree harassment.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
18 Mar. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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