handicapped

1 of 2

adjective

hand·​i·​capped ˈhan-di-ˌkapt How to pronounce handicapped (audio) -dē- How to pronounce handicapped (audio)
Synonyms of handicappednext
sometimes offensive
: having a physical or mental disability
also : of or reserved for disabled persons
handicapped parking spaces

handicapped

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of handicap entry 2

Examples of handicapped in a Sentence

Adjective He has been handicapped since his motorcycle accident.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Dottie was buried at Arlington National Cemetery next to Capers and Dottie’s only son, Gary, who was born blind and mentally handicapped and died at 44 in 2003. — Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 Bridges pointed to an encounter last year in which an officer threatened Breshari Faulkner with a Taser, pulled her from her car onto the ground and arrested her during a confrontation over a handicapped parking space in the same Walmart lot where Kohen was shot. — Travis Loller, Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026 Bridges pointed to an encounter last year in which an officer threatened Breshari Faulkner with a stun gun, pulled her from her car onto the ground and arrested her during a confrontation over a handicapped parking space in the same Walmart lot where Kohen was shot. — Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 Cassar had argued Schwally was a handicapped driver whose right leg locked up on the gas pedal when the crash happened, and that his blood alcohol test was inaccurate. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for handicapped

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handicapped was in 1884

Phrases Containing handicapped

Rhymes for handicapped

See All Rhymes for handicapped

Browse Nearby Words

handicap
handicapped
handicapper
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Cite this Entry

“Handicapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handicapped. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

handicapped

adjective
1
sometimes offensive : having a physical or mental disability
2
: of or reserved for individuals with a physical disability
handicapped parking spaces

Medical Definition

handicapped

adjective
hand·​i·​capped -ˌkapt How to pronounce handicapped (audio)
sometimes offensive
: having a physical or mental disability
also : of or reserved for individuals with a physical disability
handicapped parking spaces

Legal Definition

handicapped

adjective
han·​di·​capped
: having a disability that substantially limits a major life activity (as caring for oneself, working, or having sensory functions)

More from Merriam-Webster on handicapped

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for handicapped

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