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
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
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
Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
This team was handicapped by lackluster play from the offensive line most of this season.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 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
If the passing game is potentially handicapped, the Ravens have the luxury of relying more on running back Derrick Henry, who rushed for 1,921 yards in 17 games.
—Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
This team was handicapped by lackluster play from the offensive line most of this season.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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Van Rijswijk suggested the discrepancy across the various jurisdictions is likely to leave European banks at a disadvantage.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
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The Sandwich Generation Is A Critical Talent Pool Employers that do not address the increasing eldercare demands on their workforce are likely to face a competitive disadvantage.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There is a path to preventing such a wrong turn, even if the path is strewn with obstacles and is uphill all the way.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
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Their change of heart reflects the inconvenient practical obstacles to suddenly cutting off access to a popular platform.—
Johanna Costigan,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Which dyes carry more risks than others is also unclear due to the lack of research and funding, which is hampered by industry lobbying, added Mande, CEO of Nourish Science, a nongovernmental organization focused on US nutrition crises.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN,
17 Jan. 2025
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The delay also gives the two sides time to put the lawsuit to rest, which would otherwise hamper any negotiations.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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An administration in the future could resurrect the rule and avoid some of the procedural hurdles.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
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Several parties are in contention even as potential buyers face a litany of legal hurdles and barriers.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This detachment can hinder the development of relationship security, which is essential for building healthy relationships in adulthood.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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As homeowners turn to contractors for the slow process of rebuilding, an immigration policy that deports undocumented workers or forces them underground may hinder the recovery.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While corporate America has long celebrated shattering the glass ceiling, a more pervasive barrier continues to hold women back from reaching leadership positions — the broken rung.—
Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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Many of the construction workers disappeared before police could talk with them and those who did speak with authorities faced a communication barrier, per the family’s GoFundMe.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Walker, in fact, explains that one of the by-products of alcohol metabolism is a class of chemicals, known as aldehydes, that are especially prone to impede REM sleep.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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These teams all have franchise players to build around and some contracts that would impede them from fully committing to the tear-down process.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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According to reports, Rocko, born Rodney Ramone Hill Jr., was arrested last month and charged with disorderly conduct, misdemeanor willful obstruction of law enforcement officials, and criminal trespass.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
15 Jan. 2025
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Trump was ultimately charged with four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near handicap
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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