HANDICAPS Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

handicaps 1 of 2

noun

plural of handicap

as in disadvantages

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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as in obstacles

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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handicaps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of handicap

as in hampers

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 handicaps

Noun

The 6,970-yard course is challenging but fair and open enough for all handicaps, from the proper tees, to have a good time. — Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2026 Of course, blame Dad for any handicaps. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 May 2026 Despite its handicaps, Western analysts and officials say Ukraine has in recent months recorded battlefield successes against Russia’s bigger army, disrupting a spring offensive started by Russia amid improving weather, as fields dry out and new foliage on tree lines offers more cover. — ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026 Young players can be motivated to keep playing more complex games, especially if parents create handicaps that help young kids excel or house rules that are designed for inclusive play. — Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026 The cars' real handicaps were a lack of liquid cooling for the battery packs. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 Secondary school students in less affluent states will find themselves with substandard educational offerings that may serve as handicaps when those students compete with those who have benefited from enriched educational opportunities provided in wealthier states. — Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 All of the electric buses are equipped with accessories for students with handicaps. — Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 7 Aug. 2025

Verb

Warming permanently handicaps the watershed, shrinking the payoff from wet years. — Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026 The San Diego Padres have a lot of money tied up in their star position players, which handicaps them in free agency. — Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025 Rams 23, 49ers 20 Lock of the Week Much was made this week about the Bills failing to acquire a wide receiver at the trade deadline and whether that handicaps their Super Bowl chances. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicaps

Noun

Darman sketched out on paper a comparison of all the advantages and disadvantages of continuing to work at the Post while writing books, versus moving to TV.

— Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
The advantages far, far outweigh the disadvantages, but the disadvantages at blue bloods are the outside noise is always going to be way over the top, no matter what’s happening.

— Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of disadvantages

Noun

Furthermore, the whiskers are in front, preventing the drone from detecting sideways obstacles like random jagged branches in a forest.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
The legal and political obstacles to taking custody of those assets for onward transfer to Ukraine may be too formidable to resolve in time to help Kyiv in the coming year.

— Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstacles

Verb

But the inability a company to buy ads hampers a campaign’s visibility and removes a key tool that studios use to spread the word about a movie currently in theaters.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
This lushness is truly remarkable on an island known for its volcanic soil, which traditionally hampers plant growth.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampers

Noun

Terra Herbal argues that because its marijuana activities are now covered by the Schedule III order, Section 280E no longer applies and the change should affect its prior-year liabilities.

— Carolyn Schenck, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Now, overdependence on satellites and on SpaceX are major liabilities.

— Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of liabilities

Verb

The sheriff said vehicles parked in a way that impedes traffic will be towed at the owner's expense.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Typically, PAs are putting in 60-hour workweeks, and their duties can include everything from running errands to cleaning up messes to managing the general public when filming takes place in a location and impedes foot or car traffic.

— Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of impedes

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handicapping

handicaps

handicraft

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Style

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

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Synonyms of handicaps

noun

verb

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