golden handshake

noun

: a generous severance agreement given especially as an inducement to early retirement

Examples of golden handshake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In Munger’s view, Gutfreund let the company down and deserved no huge golden handshake. Matt Schifrin, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Last summer, he was handed a contract worth $36 million a year, complete with a $120 million golden handshake. Rory Smith, New York Times, 24 July 2023 The virtuosity came in the form of a golden handshake, the documents show. Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2022 Ms Jiba’s successor, Mxolisi Nxasana, proved less convenient for Mr Zuma, and left after a golden handshake. The Economist, 12 Dec. 2019 The ex-Borussia Dortmund star also wants a 'golden handshake' from United to leave - something the 20-times English top flight champions are refusing to entertain. SI.com, 17 Jan. 2018 The law tolerates golden handshakes or other incentives for employees who agree to retire within two or three years, but even these must be structured carefully to avoid litigation based on a claim of age discrimination. Saul Levmore and Martha Nussbaum, WSJ, 22 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'golden handshake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of golden handshake was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near golden handshake

Cite this Entry

“Golden handshake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/golden%20handshake. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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