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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Even using that handicap, however, this El Niño is on track to be unprecedented. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 And trying to get my handicap score down a little bit on the golf course. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Who else was astute enough to recognize the potential of a Sun Devil when handicapping hypothetical mascot fights? — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 2 June 2026 The poll confirming Becerra and Hilton as the potential top two finishers is the latest wrinkle in a primary campaign that has been impossible to handicap because none of the serious candidates, originally a dozen out of 61 names on the ballot, stood out as an obvious leader. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 28 May 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
  • Consider these advantages and disadvantages before choosing an ARM.
    — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Similarly, although benefits of smaller class sizes are real, at least for economically disadvantaged kids in early grades, uniform caps put high-poverty schools at a competitive disadvantage (because other working conditions are more difficult).
    — David Griffith, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disadvantage
Noun
  • Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The emotional incompatibility of self-care Applebaum said that even those who can overcome the practical obstacles often still struggle to take care of themselves.
    — Elissa Strauss, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • Likewise, when crime bosses become international liabilities that could hamper Beijing’s relations with other countries, or when their political patrons fall and there are fewer political costs to targeting them, Beijing will act.
    — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The administration’s postponement of a Food and Drug Administration rule hampered the food safety system, which hindered a response to the outbreak.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hamper
Noun
  • An open field across from the Dean and Barbara White Southlake YMCA could potentially be the site of Crown Point’s first pet adoption and resource center but multiple hurdles still remain.
    — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The organizations, specialists and larger coalition of the willing have to contend with these hurdles.
    — Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • That means making choices that support fertility, not hinder it — like getting regular exercise or cutting out cannabis, nicotine and alcohol.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Dodson and Rodriguez had been competing for the starting spot opposite Brooks, but injuries to that unit had watered down the competition and hindered the evaluation process.
    — Omar Kelly August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hinder
Noun
  • But even when care is available, stigma can still present a huge barrier.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond removing the psychological and practical barrier of injections, oral formulations are not reliant on syringes or refrigeration and are cheaper to manufacture.
    — Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of barrier
Verb
  • Kupor, head of the government’s chief human resources agency since July 2025, has publicly argued even jobs conducive to remote work can be impeded by working from home.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Carly Simon, whose recent Parkinson’s diagnosis didn’t impede her from releasing her first album in 18 years, Comes in Waves, has seemingly dedicated a song to her ex-husband, James Taylor.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of impede
Noun
  • In December 2019, the House impeached Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate then-former Vice President Joe Biden while withholding military aid.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Her boyfriend, 18-year-old Royce Moser, has been charged with homicide and counts related to tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, obstruction and conspiracy.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstruction

Browse Nearby Words

handholds
handicap
handicapped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handicap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicap. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on handicap

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about handicap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All