1
as in suitcase
a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles
flies only with a handbag so he doesn't have to check his luggage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in purse
a container for carrying money and small personal items
her handbag is just big enough to hold her favorite photos and wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handbag
According to Brown, after stringent authentication processes are followed, jewelry is typically polished before being listed, while handbags are professionally cleaned.
—
Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Sole believes Gap will be driven by stronger sales and earnings growth thanks to improving revenue growth for Athleta, and as Gap’s initiatives to grow its beauty and handbag businesses finally start taking off.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Keep an eye out for luxury handbag brands such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Schiaparelli.
—Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
About $100,000 worth of handbags were recovered and returned to the victim, the police said.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handbag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handbag
Noun
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Freeing up space in a carry-on suitcase is always a tough feat, especially on a long trip.—
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Investigators say a window was damaged during the break-in and two suitcases were taken from the vehicle.—
Noun
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The simplicity of a compact shoulder bag is invaluable for date nights, running errands, or getting drinks with friends — especially if that purse is spacious enough for a phone, wallet, lipstick, and other small necessities.—
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According to our readers, these are the most popular retro sweets grandma always had in her candy dish or purse.—
Noun
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Its interior pocket has a 2-liter capacity, offering plenty of room for a phone, wallet, keychain, and other necessities.—
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Whether commuting for work or running errands, Dana is a carryall with ample space for essentials (think phone, keys, wallet, and sunglasses), along with a 13-inch laptop, water bottle, makeup, portable charger, lightweight jacket, snacks, and a notebook.—
Noun
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Thinking globally and acting locally means electing people of vision, not people who couldn't find their way out of a paper bag without a lobbyist lighting their way under the table, or down the wrong path where for-profit companies rule and teachers are scapegoated for society's failures.—
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Fast-forward to them being pulled over by the side of the boarding line, having to hurriedly transfer essentials between their personal item bag and their carry-on.—
Cite this Entry
“Handbag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handbag. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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