Synonyms of handicaps

handicaps 1 of 2

noun

plural of handicap

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disadvantages
• liabilities
• shortcomings
• drawbacks
• negatives
• disabilities
• downsides
• obstacles
• minuses
• debits
• strikes
• impairments
• disbenefits
• incommodities
• hurdles
• failings
• impediments
• obstructions
• millstones
• albatross
• hindrances
• embarrassments
• interferences
• hitches
• strangleholds
• shackles
• lets
• trammels
• rubs
• manacles
• clogs
• catches
• stops
• checks
• bars
• crimps

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advantages
• assets
• edges
• pluses
• margins
• vantages
• controls
• privileges
• opportunities
• jumps
• betters
• starts
• leads
• commands
• prerogatives
• drops
• superiorities
• aids
• help
• breaks
• transcendences
• head starts
• predominances
• supremacies
• upper hands
• ascendancies
• assistances
• masteries

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obstacles
• hurdles
• obstructions
• embarrassments
• barriers
• impediments
• hindrances
• burdens
• interferences
• constraints
• encumbrances
• cramps
• inhibitions
• shackles
• deterrents
• lets
• chains
• loads
• manacles
• blocks
• stumbling blocks
• fetters
• trammels
• hitches
• clogs
• stops
• disadvantages
• delays
• restraints
• difficulties
• balks
• dangers
• crimps
• hazards
• bars
• snags
• brakes
• holdbacks
• hardships
• stone walls
• blockades
• blockages
• curbs
• brick walls
• rubs
• stoppages
• reins
• drawbacks
• arrests
• catches
• drags
• perils
• hobbles
• adversities
• embargoes
• reefs
• stalls
• checks
• bits
• holdups
• cumbers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incentives
• stimuli
• advantages
• stimulants
• catalysts
• spurs
• benefits
• edges
• aids
• breaks
• impetuses
• goads
• help
• assistances
• boosts
• handmaidens

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hampers
• hinders
• impedes
• embarrasses
• obstructs
• delays
• interferes (with)
• short-circuits
• blocks
• cramps
• hobbles
• encumbers
• stymies
• trammels
• fetters
• inhibits
• shackles
• constrains
• clogs
• ties up
• holds back
• hog-ties
• handcuffs
• restrains
• ties
• frustrates
• disrupts
• cramps one's style
• curbs
• manacles
• thwarts
• gives a hard time
• retards
• roadblocks
• reins
• chains
• checks
• brakes
• tethers
• stifles
• balks
• holds up
• binds
• baffles
• barricades
• blockades
• arrests
• leashes
• bogs (down)
• confines
• foils
• retains
• strangles
• sabotages
• chokes
• muzzles
• mires
• halters
• stumps
• hedges (in)
• suffocates
• derails
• smothers
• hems (in)
• represses
• suppresses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aids
• helps
• facilitates
• assists
• opens
• frees
• clears
• liberates
• releases
• makes way
• unstops
• unties
• encourages
• unclogs
• promotes
• smooths
• loosens
• unplugs
• furthers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handicaps

Noun

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