as in few
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 handful
Also, fans won’t yet have Bracket Fatigue from analyzing the same handful of scenarios again and again.
—
Austin Meek, New York Times, 29 May 2026
For decades, Alaska cruises were largely defined by a handful of mega-ships ferrying travelers from one bucket-list port to another.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 29 May 2026
If a handful of contenders recruit the 35-year-old Montenegrin, his friendship with Jokic should give Denver an upper hand.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
World Business Chicago picked up the tab for the mayor and his wife and a handful of officials, but not the others who joined him.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handful
Austin Meek, New York Times, 29 May 2026
For decades, Alaska cruises were largely defined by a handful of mega-ships ferrying travelers from one bucket-list port to another.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 29 May 2026
If a handful of contenders recruit the 35-year-old Montenegrin, his friendship with Jokic should give Denver an upper hand.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
World Business Chicago picked up the tab for the mayor and his wife and a handful of officials, but not the others who joined him.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handful
couple
Noun
-
The couple hard-launched their relationship in 2019 with their first red carpet appearance at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in LA.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
Wyatt and Valdez, who live nearby, said that Baker was a neighbor of theirs for roughly six months a couple of years ago.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handful. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
