handicap 1 of 2

noun

ˈhan-di-ˌkap How to pronounce handicap (audio)
Definition of handicapnext
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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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

handicap

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of handicap
Noun
Tragically, Alice’s shower trauma turns out to be a big handicap for her in her pursuit of Catherine’s trust. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 The golfers partnered up and were divided into four groups based on their handicap. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
Deputy Solicitor General Eric Feigin said blocking such searches would handicap police searching for murderers, kidnappers and robbers. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 June 2026 The net takeaway is that Warsh wants to keep markets guessing, allowing its own pricing mechanisms to react to data and handicap scenarios. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for handicap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicap
  1. disadvantage
  2. obstacle
  3. hamper
  4. hurdle
  5. hinder
  6. barrier
  7. impede
  8. obstruction
Noun
  • Super PACs don't face the same pricing disadvantage on digital ads, where campaigns and outside groups compete on more equal footing.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Paxton and Husted in particular demonstrate the GOP disadvantage at the candidate level, although the Republican super PAC spending in Texas and Ohio is intended to counteract it.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of disadvantage
Noun
  • There’s outward social and internalized pressure on the Dashwood sisters to marry, and do it quickly, but per any Austen tale, the path is blotchy and blocked by obstacles and second-guessing.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • During robot operation, LiDAR supplies information about the surrounding environment, helping the framework account for obstacles and available clearance.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • Capturing towns and roads would hamper Tigrayan fighters without necessarily securing the vast rural areas where the rebel forces regrouped during the previous war, Taylor said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Otherwise, the chemicals can react against each other and hamper recyclability, or worse, release harmful byproducts into the environment.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hamper
Noun
  • Our main hurdle has always been convincing people to pay for a cinema ticket to watch two episodes of a series.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Most of the K-pop festivals that have been announced over the last few years never went ahead due to various logistical hurdles.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • And warming temperatures are hindering their ability to perform essential functions.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Royce Moser, 18, is facing charges including murder, while his mother, 56-year-old Rachel Moser, is facing charges including hindering apprehension of a fugitive, according to court records.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hinder
Noun
  • There is a flood of creator content available due to a low barrier to entry, and that is now being accelerated by generative AI tools.
    — William Daddi, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Sometimes, the biggest barrier between a patient and their treatment is not pharmacology.
    — Marcela Gottschald, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of barrier
Verb
  • Past popes have written letters of resignation in case of a severe illness or medical emergency that impedes them from carrying out their duties.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Attorney General Blanche has instructed the Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies and practices that facilitate violations of federal law or impede lawful federal operations, the department said.
    — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of impede
Noun
  • Much of Argentina is flat, allowing AM signals to travel hundreds of miles without obstruction.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Thompson was charged and ended up pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and one count of misprision of a felony.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of obstruction

Browse Nearby Words

handholds
handicap
handicapped
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Cite this Entry

“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on handicap

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about handicap

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