So Laban went into the tent of Jacob, and of Lia, and of both the handmaids, and found them not. An when he was entered into Rachel's tent, she, in haste, hid the idols under the camel's furniture, and sat upon them.
Source: tatoeba (7828180)
Handmaids
Synonyms for "handmaids" (8 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: aide, attendant, caste, class, helper.
- Sentence evidence is available for handmaids, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss.
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 "handmaids".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "handmaids"
Keep "handmaids" 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 "handmaids" 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 "handmaids", 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 "handmaids" 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
3 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
5 entrieshandmaid dutieshandmaid laborhandmaid positionhandmaid rolehandmaid service
Derivations
3 entriesSample sentences
7 total sentences available.
And rising early, he took his two wives and his two handmaids, with his eleven sons, and passed over the ford of Jaboc. And when all things were brought over that belonged to him, he remained alone; and behold, a man wrestled with him till morning.
Source: tatoeba (7840123)
And Jacob lifting up his eyes, saw Esau coming, and with him four hundred men: and he divided the children of Lia and of Rachel, and of the two handmaids.
Source: tatoeba (7846763)
And he put both the handmaids and their children foremost: and Lia and her children in the second place: and Rachel and Joseph last.
Source: tatoeba (7846851)
Showing 4 of 7 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "handmaids"?
Closest matches include aide, attendant, caste, class, helper.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "handmaids"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.