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
Personalized amenities—game rooms, theaters, gyms, and, in at least a handful of cases, stripper poles—enabled them to detach from the public altogether.
—
Kim Hew-Low, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Rattenfänger is also planning a brutal cyberattack that will affect all of the Western world — leading Bond to team up with the remaining double agents and a handful of allies to stop the evil at hand.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
At a price tag like $300-plus million, there will only be a handful of suitors for the superstar.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal, during his weekly Monday morning spot on WQAM’s The Joe Rose Show, provided updates on a handful of starters who either did not play or were limited in Miami’s 38-10 win over Syracuse as UM tries to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handful
Kim Hew-Low, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Rattenfänger is also planning a brutal cyberattack that will affect all of the Western world — leading Bond to team up with the remaining double agents and a handful of allies to stop the evil at hand.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
At a price tag like $300-plus million, there will only be a handful of suitors for the superstar.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal, during his weekly Monday morning spot on WQAM’s The Joe Rose Show, provided updates on a handful of starters who either did not play or were limited in Miami’s 38-10 win over Syracuse as UM tries to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handful
couple
Noun
-
The young couple welcomed their daughter via adoption this summer.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The couple posted the news on Instagram Friday night.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handful. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share