variants
also handsful
as in couples
a small number
only a handful of people signed up for the wintertime hike
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of handfuls
The video that went viral on Facebook shows a fast food employee stuffing two handfuls of French fries in her mouth and then putting them into a red McDonald's fry container that another employee is holding.
—
Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 18 May 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
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, 14 Apr. 2026
Next comes quesillo, the Oaxacan cheese pulled into lacy webs, and handfuls of shredded cabbage.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
There are rational questions about the wisdom of spending so much money to fling handfuls of people into deep space at great risk and far outside the chance of rescue.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
With models trailed by porters toting handfuls of monogrammed luggage?
—Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 18 May 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
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, 14 Apr. 2026
Next comes quesillo, the Oaxacan cheese pulled into lacy webs, and handfuls of shredded cabbage.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
There are rational questions about the wisdom of spending so much money to fling handfuls of people into deep space at great risk and far outside the chance of rescue.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
With models trailed by porters toting handfuls of monogrammed luggage?
—Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handfuls
Noun
-
To be candid, our process was not terribly dramatic—there were no big fights, no couples counseling—other than the drama of racing to complete the project (or, at least, most of it) before the kids were born.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Families will love the spacious suites, while couples can retreat to the more secluded upper-floor rooms with wraparound terraces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Pea gravel shifts and scatters.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In a cluttered room, that beam scatters in every direction.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handfuls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handfuls. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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