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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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

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

In his essay, Zuckerberg wrote that American AI developers face disadvantages against Chinese rivals, including in training data, and argued that policy should reduce those barriers.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
Will universities that decline to participate face disadvantages?

— Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of disadvantages

Noun

If the state case does go forward after the likely appeals are exhausted, there are obstacles that could get in the way of a potential trial.

— Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
If trading partners try to mount further obstacles to Chinese exports, Beijing could turn to tools of economic coercion, such as restricted access to refined critical minerals, to compel other countries to keep their markets open.

— Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstacles

Verb

The lack of open pores in the soil also hampers the movement of air and water.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026
Cybersecurity experts increasingly warn that restricting access to advanced AI models hampers defenders’ ability to identify vulnerabilities, test systems, and develop countermeasures.

— James Marks, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Definition of hampers

Noun

Shareholders’ equity is what remains after the company has paid all its liabilities.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
Johnson pledged to make the payment — aimed at chipping away at the city’s towering unfunded pension liabilities — during the Chicago Investor Conference.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of liabilities

Noun

For 35 years, the mobile clinic has been going into Boston's underserved communities to bring free health screenings and medical advice to people who may have numerous hurdles to find it.

— Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
For some districts like Kalangala — a PURPOSE 1 trial site that wasn't included in the country's initial rollout — the oral route remains but long-standing hurdles persist.

— Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurdles

Verb

Ultimately, glorifying sleep deprivation is counterproductive; prioritizing sleep is key for career longevity and productivity, while chronic insomnia leads to impaired judgment and hinders professional growth.

— Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Neptune retrograde hinders our intuition, leaving us lost in the fog.

— Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 15 July 2026

Definition of hinders

Noun

State justice officials also claimed that Menlo Park forced the developers to pay the city attorney’s legal bills in supporting the municipality’s obstructions against the project.

— George Avalos, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
The tip of a needle can also be helpful for clearing obstructions in the filter.

— Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2026

Definition of obstructions

Verb

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
Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor in which an individual willfully disobeys or impedes a congressional investigation.

— Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of impedes

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“Handicaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicaps. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of handicaps

noun

verb

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