as in gift
something given to someone without expectation of a return
gave little handsels to their houseguests on New Year's Day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsel
Noun
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Guests were given a complimentary tote bag full of gifts inspired by the movie—including a TreSemme workable hair spray, Devil Wears Prada branded Diet Coke, and a copy of the fictional Runway magazine, with Blunt’s Emily Charlton on the cover.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026 -
Our brother-in-law is, of course, invited to the brunch, along with our dad; he would just not be included in the gift of putting on the event.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Nonprofits like Keep Oakland Beautiful rely on donations and grants, and don't have unlimited resources to maintain the area indefinitely.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Erwin said TransHealth can weather the funding threats because the clinic gets large private donations, and is not as dependent on Medicaid and Medicare as most hospitals.—
Karen Brown,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Building on the 1986 graphic novel series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, it is presciently set in an alternate present in which police officers wear masks to hide their identities.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
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You have been specifically told not to bring presents.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The alarming outlook was outlined during a presentation to the Board of Supervisors on the 2024 Annual Report on Contra Costa Continuum of Care.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
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The veteran filmmaker was speaking via Zoom link after being held up in the States following the Cinemacon presentation in Las Vegas.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Handsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handsel. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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