He has a good firm handshake.
Source: tatoeba (290080)
Handshake
/ˈhæn(d)ˌʃeɪk/
Synonyms for "handshake" (53 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (11)
Strong matches (16)
Noun(6 words)
Related words (26)
Noun(9 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: accost, act up to, address, agree to anything, agreement.
- Sentence evidence is available for handshake, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse, wordnet, 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 "handshake".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "handshake"
Keep "handshake" 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 "handshake" 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 "handshake", 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 "handshake" 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
10 entriesacknowledgementacknowledgmentagreementcommunicationcommunication protocolgreetingnetwork protocolsocial contractsocial customsocial gesture
More specific
12 entriesSSH handshakeSSL handshakeTCP handshakeTLS handshakefirm handshakeformal handshakefriendly handshakeinformal agreementprofessional handshakeverbal contractwarm handshakewritten contract
Collocations
9 entriesbrief handshakefirm handshakeformal handshakefriendly handshakehandshake dealhandshake protocolinitial handshakeshake handswarm handshake
Inflections
5 entriesDerivations
2 entriesTranslations
9 translations across 2 languages.
Polish
4 entries- uściskać dłoń verb (sense 1)
- uścisnąć dłoń verb (sense 1)
- wymieniać potwierdzenia verb (sense 2)
- wymienić potwierdzenia verb (sense 2)
Spanish
4 entries- apretarse la mano verb (sense 1)
- darse la mano verb (sense 1)
- diñarse la mano verb (sense 1)
- establecer comunicación verb (sense 2)
Sample sentences
11 total sentences available.
He put out his hand to me for a handshake.
Source: tatoeba (293485)
They parted with a firm handshake.
Source: tatoeba (306477)
When my father was offered a golden handshake, he took it.
Source: tatoeba (321540)
Showing 4 of 11 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "handshake"?
Closest matches include accost, act up to, address, agree to anything, agreement.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "handshake"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.