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Showing results for shake hands.
Definitions

shake hands

VERB
greet
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accost acknowledge address approach attend embrace hail meet receive salute stop
STRONG
bow compliment curtsy flag herald nod recognize salaam shoulder
WEAK
call to exchange greetings extend one's hand high-five highball move to pay respects roll out the red carpet say hello say hi speak to tip one's hat usher in whistle for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
avoid disregard dodge ignore shun slight
WEAK
say farewell say goodbye
VERB
make up
Synonyms
WEAK
accommodate atone balance bury the hatchet come to terms compose conciliate counterbalance counterpoise countervail forgive and forget make amends make peace mend offset outweigh pacify recompense redeem redress requite set off settle
Antonyms
WEAK
disagree
VERB
meet halfway
Synonyms
WEAK
come to terms forgive and forget settle one's differences
VERB
reach
Synonyms
STRONGEST
approach attain contact end go join lead make pass stand strike
STRONG
buck encompass equal grasp hand lunge overtake seize shoot span spread strain
WEAK
carry to come at come up to continue to extend to feel for get a hold of get hold of get to go as far as go on go to hold out make contact with pass along put out roll on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny fail fall behind leave lose miss refuse stop surrender veto
STRONG
compress concentrate let go release
WEAK
depart
VERB
receive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accept bring in introduce meet take in welcome
STRONG
accommodate admit entertain greet host induct initiate install invite permit
WEAK
allow entrance let in let through make comfortable make welcome roll out red carpet show in usher in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
reject
STRONG
deny expel refuse turn away
WEAK
deliver donate give offer
VERB
run
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compete race stand
STRONG
challenge contend contest oppose politick stump whistlestop
WEAK
be a candidate hit the campaign trail kiss babies ring doorbells

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.

The two teams declined to shake hands in a precautionary measure.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Like schoolyard kids forced to shake hands after a nasty fight, Americans could use a healthy respect for good form, even at the risk of being hypocrites.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The teams have declined to shake hands in recent international fixtures.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

"We have to take this very seriously. We have to shake hands eye-to-eye, person-to-person, and to discuss what is best for the US and Brazil."

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

“It was not my responsibility,” he said, reaching to shake hands with Le Duc Tho.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin