variants
also handmaids
as in housekeepers
a female domestic servant
the princess was intensely shy, and allowed only her handmaiden to enter her chambers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handmaidens
Curators pop up in famous artists’ biographies all the time, usually as handmaidens to the creator’s genius, opening a door to a gallery here or supporting a grant application there.
—
Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
The common foe of all is expansionist Iran and its handmaidens Hamas and Hezbollah.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
The common foe of all is expansionist Iran and its handmaidens Hamas and Hezbollah.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handmaidens
Noun
-
Some families even bring their housekeepers, presumably to clean up all of the empty soy sauce packets.—
Brendan Cosgrove,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
-
In Dish Jockey, an etching from 1993, a harried woman in a bandanna (shades of Rosie the Riveter) scrubs dishes while an ensemble of Tinkerbell-like housekeepers complete other chores nearby.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Now footsteps are heard rushing up from the floor below, and Varsha is soon surrounded by her aunt’s retinue of maids and household staff.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
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The festival is rooted in the story of Lord Krishna, the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is said to have played pranks by splashing maids with water and colors.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handmaidens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handmaidens. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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