1
as in suitcase
a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles
flies only with a handbag so he doesn't have to check his luggage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in purse
a container for carrying money and small personal items
her handbag is just big enough to hold her favorite photos and wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handbag
Designer handbags are superior in terms of longevity.
—
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2026
The world Junod evokes is a nearly foreign past: Lou is a traveling handbag salesman with peacock style — bright colors, fancy suits, turtlenecks, and bikini bathing suits — who buys a home on Long Island for $75 and a beach house in the Hamptons for $20,000 cash.
—Jack Denton, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
With so many updates to the classic handbag in spring collections—including variations on the shapes’ silhouette, size, shade, and even textiles—there are so many ways to incorporate this style into your life in a way that speaks to you.
—Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
When is the 'Devil Wears Prada 2' handbag popcorn bucket available?
As of March 13, neither AMC Theatres nor Cinemark have shared an exact release date for the handbag popcorn bucket ahead of the movie's opening night, May 1.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handbag
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2026
The world Junod evokes is a nearly foreign past: Lou is a traveling handbag salesman with peacock style — bright colors, fancy suits, turtlenecks, and bikini bathing suits — who buys a home on Long Island for $75 and a beach house in the Hamptons for $20,000 cash.
—Jack Denton, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
With so many updates to the classic handbag in spring collections—including variations on the shapes’ silhouette, size, shade, and even textiles—there are so many ways to incorporate this style into your life in a way that speaks to you.
—Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
When is the 'Devil Wears Prada 2' handbag popcorn bucket available?
As of March 13, neither AMC Theatres nor Cinemark have shared an exact release date for the handbag popcorn bucket ahead of the movie's opening night, May 1.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handbag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handbag
Noun
-
Travel in style with this large hardside suitcase.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Much of the cash, stuffed inside suitcases and shipped out on international flights, makes its way to countries scattered across East Africa, where many Somalis fanned out following their nation’s civil war.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Detectives began working to identify the woman and found a key in her purse.—
Kevin Foster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Federal law gives Congress the power of the purse, which means the president may lack the legal authority to unilaterally authorize pay.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When voters worry about their wallets, incumbents usually get the blame.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But the pictures of Jane and Adam in her wallet in the safe triggered a wave of negative thoughts racing through my mind.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In exchange for a paper bag full of cash—twenty thousand dollars in unmarked bills—the Weather Underground agreed to do the job.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Mack’s remains were tied with rope in a black plastic bag that was wrapped with duct tape, according to court papers.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handbag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handbag. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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