variants
also handsful
as in couples
a small number
only a handful of people signed up for the wintertime hike
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 handfuls
Instead of grabbing handfuls straight from the bag, serve it in a small bowl or buy individual packs to help manage portions.
—
Sarah Anzlovar,
Verywell Health,
27 June 2026
For me, part of the appeal is that no two handfuls ever taste exactly the same.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
22 June 2026
Peter Zenk Residents in Waite Park were picking up handfuls of hail after storms moved through the Stearns County community.
—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Almost 90 years ago, the fight against polio inspired schoolchildren to send handfuls of coins to the White House – and the March of Dimes helped defeat polio.
—
Audrey Boone Tillman,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
The goal is to attract mosquitoes to the bucket, which contains standing water and a few handfuls of grass clippings.
—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
To begin, lab assistant Julia Butac empties a burlap bag of beans into a bin and starts to sift them a couple handfuls at a time, removing anything that isn't a full bean.
—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 May 2026
Doctors, only with bombs bursting in air, twin eagles threatening, soldiers flying, a robed Trump healing, handfuls of white light and the miracle of thick hair no longer in need of a combover.
—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
In recent weeks only handfuls of ships, if any, are passing on a daily basis.
—
Justin Fishel,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Sarah Anzlovar,
Verywell Health,
27 June 2026
For me, part of the appeal is that no two handfuls ever taste exactly the same.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
22 June 2026
Peter Zenk Residents in Waite Park were picking up handfuls of hail after storms moved through the Stearns County community.
—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Almost 90 years ago, the fight against polio inspired schoolchildren to send handfuls of coins to the White House – and the March of Dimes helped defeat polio.
—
Audrey Boone Tillman,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
The goal is to attract mosquitoes to the bucket, which contains standing water and a few handfuls of grass clippings.
—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
To begin, lab assistant Julia Butac empties a burlap bag of beans into a bin and starts to sift them a couple handfuls at a time, removing anything that isn't a full bean.
—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 May 2026
Doctors, only with bombs bursting in air, twin eagles threatening, soldiers flying, a robed Trump healing, handfuls of white light and the miracle of thick hair no longer in need of a combover.
—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
In recent weeks only handfuls of ships, if any, are passing on a daily basis.
—
Justin Fishel,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handfuls
Noun
-
A lot of couples just don’t attend cocktail hour because of photos and that’s totally fine.
-
While delaying benefits is typically optimal, a hypothetical 22% cut by 2033 significantly shifts optimal claiming ages for many single individuals, potentially encouraging earlier filing, but often not for married couples.
Noun
-
Pea gravel shifts and scatters.
-
In a cluttered room, that beam scatters in every direction.
Cite this Entry
“Handfuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handfuls. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
