hankies

Definition of hankiesnext
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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hankies
Noun
  • Had Otello understood that all the world is a joke, as Falstaff startlingly reveals at the end of the opera, Iago would never have been able to poison Otello’s susceptible frail ego with his ridiculous tales of handkerchiefs and what-not.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Some journalists attending this year’s dinner have unveiled plans to wear pocket handkerchiefs or lapel pins with the words of the First Amendment.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Add it to the washing machine along with a couple of bath towels, which can help prevent the liner from bunching and wrinkling and also adds some scrubbing action during the wash cycle.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
  • However, there are moments of reprieve between loads of clothes, sheets, and towels.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
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.

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“Hankies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hankies. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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