Please forgive the trespass of thy handmaid.
Source: tatoeba (4914017)
Handmaid
/ˈhændˌmeɪd/
Synonyms for "handmaid" (77 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (16)
Noun(4 words)
Strong matches (23)
companioncontrivancecookcreaturedeviceduennadummydupefemme de chambrefille de chambregentlewomangirlgo betweengo-betweenhandmaidenhired girlhousemaidimplementinstrumentinteragent
Show 2 more words
Noun(1 words)
domestic servant
Related words (38)
intermediumkitchenmaidlady-helplady-in-waitingleverlive-in maidlive-out maidmaidmaidservantmechanismmediatormediummidwifeminionnursemaidorganparlormaidpawnplaythingpuppet
Noun(4 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: handmaiden, abigail, agent, aide, amah.
- Sentence evidence is available for handmaid, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "handmaid".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "handmaid"
Keep "handmaid" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "handmaid" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "handmaid", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "handmaid" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
9 entriesMore specific
5 entriesCollocations
5 entriesInflections
1 entriesDerivations
1 entriesSample sentences
11 total sentences available.
Lia perceiving that she had left of bearing, gave Zelpha, her handmaid, to her husband. And when she had conceived, and brought forth a son, she said: Happily. And therefore called his name Gad.
Source: tatoeba (7818098)
And God heard her prayers; and she conceived: and bore a fifth son. And said: God hath given me a reward, because I gave my handmaid to my husband. And she called his name Issachar.
Source: tatoeba (7819004)
Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar, she said to her husband: Behold, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: go in unto my handmaid, it may be I may have children of her at least.
Source: tatoeba (7853652)
Showing 4 of 11 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "handmaid"?
Closest matches include handmaiden, abigail, agent, aide, amah.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "handmaid"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.