backslapping
Effusive mutual congratulations
Backslapping is hearty, demonstrative friendliness—the kind expressed through literal slaps on the back.
The term usually carries a hint of skepticism, suggesting the warmth is excessive, performative, or politically motivated: The convention was full of backslapping and empty promises.
As an adjective, it describes people or atmospheres marked by this boisterous camaraderie: a backslapping good-old-boy network.
Excessive insincere flattery
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- flatteringExcessively praising, often insincerely
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
smarmy · brownnosing · toadying · ingratiating · oleaginous · hollow · performative · schmoozing
Kinship among men
- solidarityUnity among allies
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
- bondingForming close connections
- kinshipState of being related
rapport · esprit de corps · loyalty · mateship · buddies · chums · pals · locker-room
Warm and substantial
- jovialCheerful and friendly
- rowdyNoisily disorderly
- exuberantIntensely lively and cheerful
- raucousLoud and disorderly
guffawing · loud · ebullient · booming · uproarious · animated · lively · gregarious
Fellow squad members
- locker-roomSports facility dressing area
- high-fivesCelebratory hand slaps
- victoryDefeating an opponent
- championshipCompetition for top rank
sportsmanship · coach · halftime · postgame · dugout · sideline · huddle · celebration
fawning
Excessive insincere flattery
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- flatteringExcessively praising, often insincerely
obsequious · smarmy · brownnosing · toadying · ingratiating · oleaginous · hollow · performative · schmoozing · glad-handing
brotherhood
Kinship among men
- solidarityUnity among allies
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
- bondingForming close connections
kinship · rapport · esprit de corps · loyalty · mateship · buddies · chums · pals · locker-room · teammates
hearty
Warm and substantial
raucous · guffawing · loud · ebullient · booming · uproarious · animated · lively · gregarious · effusive
teammates
Fellow squad members
- locker-roomSports facility dressing area
- high-fivesCelebratory hand slaps
- victoryDefeating an opponent
championship · sportsmanship · coach · halftime · postgame · dugout · sideline · huddle · celebration · winning
applaud
Clap to show praise
acclaim · cheer · celebrate · felicitate · acknowledge · laud · salute · tribute · honor · compliment
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- masculinitymanhood, machismo, masculinity, manliness, alpha male
backslappingunfriendly
Not welcoming or warm
hostile · cold · standoffish · aloof · distant
backslappingformal
Following strict protocol
reserved · stiff · restrained · buttoned-up · dignified
slap, slapped, slapping, slaps, backhanded, backslap, backslapper, backslapped, backslaps