Handshakes

Synonyms for "handshakes" (14 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (3)

Noun(3 words)
agree by handshakeagreementdeal

Strong matches (4)

Noun(4 words)
greetgreetinghandclasphandshake protocol

Related words (7)

Noun(7 words)
pactprotocolsalutationsaluteseal by handshakesettlementshake hands

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: agree by handshake, agreement, deal, greet, greeting.
  • Sentence evidence is available for handshakes, 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 "handshakes".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "handshakes"

Keep "handshakes" 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 "handshakes" 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 "handshakes", 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 "handshakes" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

5 relation types

More general

8 entries
agreementconclusionconnection establishmentgesturegreetingnegotiation outcomesocial actsocial gesture

More specific

10 entries
business handshakecasual handshakeceremonial handshakediplomatic handshakefirm handshakefriendly handshakepolite handshakessh handshaketcp handshaketls handshake

Collocations

8 entries
business handshakediplomatic handshakefirm handshakeformal handshakehandshake protocolpolite handshakesincere handshakesocial handshake

Inflections

4 entries

Derivations

3 entries

Sample sentences

4 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

The visitors were greeted with warm handshakes.

Source: tatoeba (19911)

I have one final piece of advice related to handshakes: Remember to smile.

Source: tatoeba (28512)

I have one last piece of advice related to handshakes: Don't forget to smile.

Source: tatoeba (2621009)

A painter-friend of his, who had been patiently watching his opportunity to get a word with him as he stood there exchanging handshakes, managed at last to get near enough for conversation.

Source: tatoeba (11557223)

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "handshakes"?

Closest matches include agree by handshake, agreement, deal, greet, greeting.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "handshakes"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "handshakes"