hankies

noun

plural of hankie
as in handkerchiefs
a small, often square piece of material that is used for personal hygiene purposes held a hankie up to his nose and blew vigorously

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 hankies The refs have also flung their hankies for 177 false starts, the biggest tally in nearly 20 years. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026 There’s a dictator, and that’s the guy that’s throwing the yellow hankies. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hankies
  1. handkerchiefs
  2. towels
Noun
  • Other fabric scraps of the original dress were used to create handkerchiefs for Noah, her brothers, and herself to carry on the day.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • People’s handkerchiefs would come away from their foreheads stained with soot.
    — Daliah Singer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of handkerchiefs
Noun
  • White Lotus props like caps, towels, bags and scarves also can be found in the hotel lobby.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Nunes told a detective that the women attacked Mendez upstairs, held him down and used tape, towels and other items to cover his nose and mouth and suffocate him, the newspaper reported.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of towels

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hankie
hankies
hanks
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Cite this Entry

“Hankies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hankies. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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