Hello Lyn, Very interesting question. Each of the words can be used similarly and they each have slightly different connotations and communicate different subtleties. They are all fairly refined ways to express what they mean - so would be more likely to be used in writing than in common speech. I think "hamper" is least likely to be spoken. "Hamper" as a noun, means laundry basket, and that is commonly used. "Hamper" as a verb, I think would be more likely used in writing. "Handicap" is most commonly used in sports (specifically golf) and is the term used to refer to a physical impairment. If used to express being or feeling restricted in someway, it has a slight connotation of having some sense of impairment, physical or otherwise that is put upon you that is restricting your full movement or ability to maximize your potential experience or performance in some way. It has a slight connotation of something put upon you by circumstance. Though not super common in speech, people do use it to express feelings or situations and it is definitely used to describe physical disability or keeping golf or other sporting scores when someone is at a natural disadvantage due to their differing level of skill compared to others. "Hinder" would be used, I think in how someone might talk to another person about how they relate to a disadvantage they have. "You may find your lack of experience could hinder your future opportunities." It means, more "get in the way of" or "stand in the way of". I would say "hamper" means a bit more like it is a damper on something - and, again, less likely to be used. "Hinder" means more "stand in the way of" and "handicap" mean more, "Impairs your ability to". "Inhibit" has more connotations with emotions, though it is not exclusively used to refer to emotions. I might say, "don't let your fear of speaking a new language inhibit you from doing it". It has a slight connotation of "holds you back". I hope this helps! Neat question! Julie

That's a difficult question! They are all so similar. Hamper, hinder, and inhibit are all so close, I'd use all three of them when speaking or writing. Handicap stands out at the most different here. Handicap could be used "Damon has a handicap...he broke his wrist once and it never healed properly." Handicap can be used the same way as hamper, hinder, and inhibit, but "handicap" is more commonly recognized as describing a physical disability, so it may be the most confusing word among these. Aside from that, the other three are pretty much the same.

Hamper can be noun describing a container for the contents of a picnic or contents of one’s laundry; it can also be a verb meaning “to slow down” or “to get in someone’s way.” Handicap can be a golfing term and it is a bit technical; it can also refer to a disability however it is not a very diplomatic way to describe it and is somewhat frowned on. It is still sometimes used on old signs which really should be updated and it usually refers to a parking permit to allow disabled people to park close to the entry of a building. Hinder means “to stop” someone or “to forbid” progress. Inhibit can be the verb “to keep down” or the adjective inhibited means “to be shy” (He’s very inhibited) and usually reflects an internal state. But it can mean that someone else is inhibiting another person. Inhibit has fairly flexible word usage and the meaning can apply to a lot of different situations.