to handicap

Examples

• All

• The association strongly objected to this, claiming the extra charge would seriously handicap and curtail their business.

  Academic text (1996)

• However, they will have to overcome a generational myopia that handicaps them.

  Blog text (1)

• We should be on guard for ideas that will handicap us with higher energy costs for the next several decades.

  Blog text (7)

• Even to name and blame a supposed "enemy" would only handicap our effort to keep that system open.

  Academic text (1990)

• Sometimes they can handicap individuals and their children, and deny them the opportunities to sustain themselves.

  Blog text (21)

• His sister is intelligent and healthy, but her fears totally handicap her.

  Blog text (30)

• ...which certainly won't handicap you in seeking employment.

  The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

• I think we imbibe and absorb chemicals that handicap us more than anything else.

• Failure to do so will handicap everything else Barack Obama's administration tries to accomplish in the Middle East.

  Blog text (32)

• Such a practice negates the equal opportunity ideal and clearly handicaps disadvantaged groups.

  Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

H

to hinder

vsto handicap

75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

emphasizes impairing overall ability to succeed rather than only creating obstacles

C

to cripple

vsto handicap

72 6.3

To cause serious harm that makes a person or thing unable to work properly

is milder, meaning a reduction in ability rather than total disablement

H

to hamper

vsto handicap

47 4.2

To make it harder for someone or something to move forward

applies more broadly to weakening ability to succeed, not only blocking movement

I

to incapacitate

vsto handicap

46 7.5

To make a person or thing not able to do normal activities

describes a weaker impact that makes tasks harder rather than fully impossible

R

to retard

vsto handicap

26 8.4

To make something happen more slowly

targets disadvantaging ability or performance rather than merely slowing progress

D

to disable

vsto handicap

5 4.9

Injure someone so they cannot use part of their body, often permanently

denotes a lesser effect that impairs success without necessarily disabling permanently

D

to disfavor

vsto handicap

1 6.9

To put someone or something at a disadvantage

focuses on reducing ability to succeed rather than only causing difficulty

Antonyms

E

to enable

459 2.3

To give someone the ability or chance to do something

A

assist

33 1.8

Help given to someone to make a task easier

Compounds

H

handicap bet

• Jargon

6.8

A bet that gives a weaker competitor a head start to make the contest more even

How Hindering

to cripple

72 6.3

to impede

35 6.5

to handicap

2 4.9

to hamper

47 4.2

to hinder

75 3.6

Surface Forms

Etymology