Conflict Management Terms

adjective intended or likely to placate or pacify

• The diplomat's conciliatory approach helped to ease tensions between the two warring nations.
• She made a conciliatory gesture by offering to buy her friend a coffee after their argument.
• He tried to be all conciliatory and stuff, but I wasn't buying it.
• The sunset painted the sky in a conciliatory palette of soft pinks and purples.

verb to make a situation less tense or dangerous by reducing the likelihood of conflict or violence

• The negotiator was able to defuse the tense situation and prevent any violence.
• I had to defuse the argument between my siblings before it escalated.
• I used humor to defuse the awkwardness of the situation.
• The therapist helped me defuse my pent-up emotions through therapy sessions.

noun the act of interposing or the state of being interposed

verb to place or insert between one thing and another

• The mediator will interpose in the negotiation process to ensure a fair outcome for both parties.
• I had to interpose in the argument between my siblings to prevent it from escalating further.
• She always interposes herself in other people's business, it's so annoying.
• The clouds seemed to interpose between the sun and the earth, casting a shadow over the landscape.

adjective not exhibiting tact or diplomacy; lacking in diplomacy

• The ambassador's undiplomatic remarks caused tension between the two countries.
• She was being undiplomatic when she bluntly told him what she thought.
• His undiplomatic behavior really rubbed people the wrong way.
• Her choice of words was undiplomatic, to say the least.