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
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
-
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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Trump, much like Putin, sees Ukraine as an inconvenience, an obstacle, something that should be grateful to even have a seat at the table.—
Illia Ponomarenko,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
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In Court Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Thursday, March 6th ‘Hamilton’ Cancels Kennedy Center Show Run In Protest Of Trump’s ‘Purge’ Despite these obstacles, female founders demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This complexity hampers everything from vulnerability triage to compliance audits, ironically undermining the very protections these tools promise.—
Aviv Mussinger,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Today, these hurdles are now compounded by the circumstances of a mediatized, globalized present in which artworks are readily circulated and recontextualized online—made hyper-visible through social media and simultaneously flattened by the internet’s immediacy.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Hamby noted older teens in high school should be mindful of behaviors that hinder their personal growth.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
8 Mar. 2025
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Any broad shutdowns of missions, especially entire embassies, would hinder the work of large parts of the federal government and potentially compromise U.S. national security.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Unfortunately, there are two barriers to accessibility.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
28 Feb. 2025
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In 2022, Arizona created similar barriers to voting where voters have to provide documentary proof of citizenship and place of birth.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 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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This medication should not be used on pregnant or lactating animals, or animals with urinary, stomach or intestinal obstructions, high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
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Rosario faces 20 years on the obstruction charge and five years for lying to the FBI.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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