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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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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Gary Williams, still in many ways the patriarch of Maryland basketball, was asked how much the chaos and bitterness of the last two weeks will handicap the younger Williams’ start in College Park.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 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 Yankees added pitching this offseason, but injuries to Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, and Marcus Stroman have handicapped the Bronx Bombers.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Gary Williams, still in many ways the patriarch of Maryland basketball, was asked how much the chaos and bitterness of the last two weeks will handicap the younger Williams’ start in College Park.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
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Those who continue managing AI initiatives separately from their core commerce operations may find themselves at a disadvantage as conversational search becomes more prevalent.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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The law defines discrimination as when a trading partner's laws, import duties, regulations or other restrictions place the U.S. at a disadvantage.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Kennedy’s announcement does not broadly address healthy adults, but under the new FDA framework, healthy adults who wish to receive the fall COVID-19 vaccine will likely face obstacles.—
Libby Richards,
The Conversation,
29 May 2025
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The Times spoke to both sides, as well as multiple experts to better understand the high-stakes litigation, which faces obstacles but could shake up California’s home insurance industry.—
Laurence Darmiento,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2025
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Online shopping has been severely hampered at the retailer due to outages to its website that are expected to last into July.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
28 May 2025
Noun
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That can include language hurdles, arranging child care or elder care, and significant differences in national pension or retirement programs.—
Christina Larson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
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President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and policy bill clears one hurdle.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Verb
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He has been charged with a collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension, both misdemeanors.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
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However, incomplete knowledge of prolonged symptoms experienced after a young child’s own SARS-CoV-2 infection hinders prevention and treatment of LC in infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.—
Anuradha Varanasi,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Use waterproof barriers, such as special ointments or creams, to protect the skin from direct contact with water.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2025
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As far as the lack of democratization, the current state of supply chains presents a high barrier to entry for small businesses who want to integrate with larger retailers or access global networks.—
Shekar Natarajan,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The affair did not impede Smotrich’s ascent as a settler activist and politician.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
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Any action that impedes these dynamics should be flatly rejected because unnecessarily regulating a competitive marketplace will only harm consumers.—
Michael Santorelli,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Additionally, 24% of providers in Colorado reported incidents of obstruction over those two years, and 18% experienced threats.—
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton,
Denver Post,
22 May 2025
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Then, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, Cobb County prosecutor Sonya Allen charged Smith with felonies of obstruction of officers and terroristic threats, according to court documents.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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