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
Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Last season, the Tigers had a chance to compete, but the front office handicapped the team by trading some of their top talent away.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 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
The producer/director/cast/crew/everything award is most coveted, of course, and classically most difficult to handicap.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Last season, the Tigers had a chance to compete, but the front office handicapped the team by trading some of their top talent away.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
Noun
-
Federal cases brought in Texas appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, a far-right court that routinely interprets the law in creative ways to benefit right-wing causes and the Republican Party, something likely to put anyone trying to stop a deportation at a disadvantage.—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
1 Apr. 2025
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This has created an uneven playing field that places traditional lodging establishments at a disadvantage.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.—
Jay Ruderman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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Many beneficiaries already face obstacles getting through to the Social Security’s phone lines to make an in-person appointment and then need to drive to a field office, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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 deep budget cuts at HHS have also hampered the nation’s disease-detection capacity and pandemic preparedness with respect to pathogens such as bird flu, according to experts.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Join 80 others in the comments View Comments The documentation required by each state also varies, and ID seekers discussing the REAL ID process online have commented on hurdles for people who have had name changes or other inconsistencies in their documentation.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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The documentation required by each state also varies, and ID seekers discussing the REAL ID process online have commented on hurdles for people who have had name changes or other inconsistencies in their documentation.—
CNN.com,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One of them is using higher-tech methods to build a comprehensive online portal for city services that doesn't confuse or hinder residents.—
Annalise Frank,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
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Strong winds and dry conditions were hindering the firefight from the air.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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India and China also have some non-trade barriers, noted Sung Won Sohn, professor of finance and economics at Loyola Marymount University and chief economist at SS Economics.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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Trump has long believed that EU tariffs and non-tariff barriers had unfairly restricted U.S. sales of automobiles and other goods.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The charges were first dropped a few weeks into President Donald Trump’s second term in part because the case would impede Adams’ ability to do his job as mayor, including cooperating with Trump’s immigration crackdown, the Justice Department’s new acting deputy attorney general wrote.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
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Removing opportunities for public commentary could impede the department’s ability to operate in the public’s interest, according to experts who spoke with Reuters.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In November 2021, Burke was sentenced to 46 years in jail for assault and obstruction of justice.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2025
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Remember to check your outdoor AC units and remove leaves or any other obstructions that can cause blockages or safety hazards.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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