Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for handshake.
Definitions

handshake

[hand-sheyk] / ˈhændˌʃeɪk /
NOUN
contract
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrangement bargain bond commitment guarantee obligation pact pledge record settlement
STRONG
commission compact concordat convention covenant deposition dicker engagement evidence indenture liability paper promise proof stipulation treaty understanding
WEAK
mise
Antonyms
STRONG
disagreement
WEAK
misunderstanding
NOUN
covenant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compact convention stipulation
STRONG
agreement arrangement bargain bond commitment concordat contract deal deed dicker papers transaction treaty trust
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disagreement
STRONG
denial misunderstanding refusal
NOUN
gentleman's agreement
Synonyms
WEAK
bond contract deal gentlemen's agreement pact pactum pledge tacit agreement understanding unspoken agreement unwritten agreement verbal agreement
NOUN
gentlemen's agreement
Synonyms
WEAK
bond contract deal gentleman's agreement nonformal agreement pact pactum pledge tacit agreement understanding unspoken agreement unwritten agreement verbal agreement
NOUN
grip
Synonyms
STRONGEST
constraint grasp restraint
STRONG
anchor brace catch cinch cincture clamp clamping clench clinch clutch coercion crushing duress enclosing enclosure fastening fixing grapnel grapple gripe handclasp handgrip handhold hold hook ligature lug purchase snatch squeeze strength tenure vise wrench
Antonyms
WEAK
release
NOUN
understanding
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accord harmony pact
STRONG
concord deal
WEAK
common view meeting of minds
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disagreement
WEAK
disbelief misinterpretation mistake misunderstanding
NOUN
welcome
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acceptance hello hospitality ovation reception salute
STRONG
entertainment friendliness howdy rumble salutation tumble
WEAK
entrée key to the city red carpet
Antonyms
WEAK
goodbye

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Close friends dining across the room from each other might exchange a wave or a quick handshake, but unsolicited business pitches go against the restaurant’s unwritten code of conduct, members say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Fury said with a grin, and the pair closed it out with a handshake.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

An announcement was made before the semi-final at Rod Laver Arena and a statement flashed up on a big screen saying there would be no handshake, asking fans to "respect" that.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

What came out of the meeting was a path to return—and a handshake that could cost Koepka up to $90 million in a combination of charitable donations, bonuses and equity in the Tour.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Mr. Stoker gets up and greets Nana with a handshake.

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.