negotiate
nuh-GOH-shee-ayt
/nəˈɡoʊʃieɪt/
To discuss something with someone in order to reach an agreement.
Implies active dialogue, compromise, and bargaining between parties with distinct interests to establish acceptable terms.
The story behind the word. Rooted in the Latin 'negotiari', which combines 'neg-' (not) and 'otium' (leisure). To the Romans, 'business' and 'negotiation' were literally 'un-leisure'—the strenuous work of practical affairs as opposed to peaceful relaxation.
Word relationships
- bargain: Focuses primarily on price or trade terms, whereas negotiate covers formal, complex legal and political disputes.
- deliberate: Means to carefully consider or discuss, but does not necessarily aim at bargaining or settling terms with an opposing side.
- dictate: To impose orders unilaterally without compromise or discussion.
- reject: To refuse discussion or compromise outright.
Commonly confused with
- mediate: To negotiate is to bargain directly; to mediate is to help two other parties negotiate.
Word family
- negotiation (noun): Discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.
- negotiator (noun): A person who conducts negotiations.
- negotiable (adjective): Open to discussion or modification.
Collocations
- negotiate a deal
- negotiate terms
- negotiate a treaty
- refuse to negotiate
Idioms & expressions
- negotiate in good faith
Example sentences
- "Diplomats worked around the clock to negotiate terms for a temporary cease-fire." Peace Process
- "The government sent a delegation to negotiate a new commercial agreement with its key trading partner." International Commerce
Memory hook
NEGOTIATE = NOT at leisure; doing hard bargaining work. Hard work at the bargaining table.
When not to use
Do not use when one side forces an ultimatum without allowing discussion or compromise.
Fun facts
- In physical contexts, 'to negotiate' can also mean successfully navigating a difficult path or obstacle, as in 'negotiating a tight turn'.
Explore more words
negotiation, diplomacy, compromise, broker, mediate, diplomat
Also appears in
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