International Relations Vocabulary

adjective a term used to describe a relationship or connection between two or more things, often indicating a close or supportive alliance

• The two countries are closely allied in their efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
• The two companies are allied in their goal to dominate the market.
• We're all allied in our mission to have a good time tonight.
• The different departments in the company are like allied forces working together to achieve success.

noun a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty

• The ambassador was tasked with representing their country's interests at the United Nations.
• The ambassador always knows the best places to eat in town.
• I heard that guy is like the ambassador of cool around here.
• She was considered the ambassador of goodwill in the office, always spreading positivity and kindness.

noun a friendly relationship or peaceful harmony between people or groups

• The two nations signed a treaty of amity and cooperation.
• We have a great sense of amity among our group of friends.
• Me and my bestie have total amity vibes.
• The amity between the rival gangs was unexpected but welcomed.

adjective relating to or characteristic of anarchy; without order or control

• The country descended into an anarchic state after the government collapsed.
• The party turned into an anarchic mess once the music got too loud.
• The concert was totally anarchic, with people pushing and shoving to get to the front.
• Her mind was like an anarchic whirlwind, filled with chaotic thoughts and ideas.

noun a building joined to or associated with a main building, providing additional space or accommodation

verb to add or attach as an extra or subordinate part

• The company decided to annex the neighboring property to expand their operations.
• The school is planning to annex the empty lot next door for a new playground.
• We should totally annex that extra room for a game room.
• She felt like she had to annex her personal space from her intrusive family members.

noun aggressive or warlike behavior

• The diplomat's belligerence during negotiations only escalated tensions between the two countries.
• His belligerence towards his coworkers made for a hostile work environment.
• The customer's belligerence towards the cashier was completely uncalled for.
• The storm's belligerence was evident in the howling winds and crashing waves.

noun a person or country engaged in war or conflict, as recognized by international law

adjective hostile and aggressive

• The belligerent nation refused to engage in diplomatic negotiations.
• He's always so belligerent when he's had a few drinks.
• Don't be so belligerent, dude, I'm just trying to help.
• The storm clouds gathered in a belligerent manner, threatening to unleash their fury.

noun a bilateral agreement or treaty between two countries

adjective relating to, involving, or affecting two sides or both sides

• The two countries signed a bilateral agreement to strengthen economic cooperation.
• They have a bilateral trade deal that benefits both sides.
• Let's keep this bilateral discussion between us for now.
• Their relationship is like a bilateral contract, with each party having specific obligations.

noun a line separating two countries, administrative divisions, or other areas

verb to form an edge along or beside (something)

• The two countries are in negotiations to establish a new border agreement.
• I always get nervous when crossing the border into a new country.
• Let's sneak across the border and have some fun!
• The line between love and hate can sometimes blur, like a border between two conflicting emotions.

verb to be adjacent or next to something

• The two countries have a long history of bordering each other.
• Our house is right next to the park, bordering it on one side.
• I live in the neighborhood bordering the downtown area.
• The line between love and hate is often bordering on thin.

noun a sudden or abrupt cessation

verb to separate or discontinue abruptly or forcefully

• The negotiations between the two countries may break off if they cannot reach a compromise.
• I had to break off my vacation early due to an emergency back home.
• Let's break off for lunch and reconvene in an hour.
• Sometimes it's necessary to break off toxic relationships for your own well-being.

noun a formal surrender or transfer of territory, rights, or property

• The cession of the property was finalized after months of negotiations.
• The cession of the company's assets is causing quite a stir among employees.
• I heard they're planning a cession of the project next week.
• The cession of power from the old regime to the new government marked a significant change in leadership.

verb to act against with equal force or power; to offset

• The company implemented a new policy to countervail the effects of the economic downturn.
• She started exercising regularly to countervail her unhealthy eating habits.
• I need to find a way to countervail the boredom of staying home all day.
• His charisma and charm countervailed his lack of experience in the job interview.

noun a group of people chosen to represent others or make decisions on their behalf

• The delegation from the European Union arrived for the summit meeting.
• The group of representatives is here for the meeting.
• The squad is here for the big meeting.
• The team of diplomats has arrived to discuss the important matters.

noun a person who represents their country's government in a foreign country, typically in the form of an ambassador or envoy

• The diplomat was tasked with negotiating a peace treaty between the two countries.
• My cousin is studying to become a diplomat and travel the world.
• That guy thinks he's such a smooth diplomat, always talking his way out of trouble.
• She was a true diplomat, always able to navigate tricky situations with grace and tact.

adjective relating to diplomacy or the work of maintaining good relations between the governments of different countries

• The diplomat used diplomatic language to navigate the sensitive negotiations.
• She always knows how to handle tricky situations with a diplomatic approach.
• He's got a way of being super chill and diplomatic at the same time.
• Finding a diplomatic solution to the problem felt like walking on eggshells.

verb to free from entanglement or involvement

• It is necessary to disembroil the complex legal issues before proceeding with the case.
• I need to disembroil this mess before it gets any worse.
• Let's disembroil this drama and move on.
• Sometimes we need to disembroil our thoughts to find clarity in our decision-making process.

noun a complicated or confused situation; entanglement

• The company's legal embroilment with its former partner caused a delay in the project.
• I don't want to get involved in their embroilment, it's too messy.
• The embroilment between those two is like watching a soap opera.
• Her mind was a constant embroilment of conflicting thoughts and emotions.

noun a person who leaves their own country in order to settle permanently in another

• The emigrant left their home country in search of better opportunities abroad.
• My friend's an emigrant from Italy, but he loves living here in the US.
• The emigrant dude is living the dream in Australia now.
• As an emigrant of the corporate world, she started her own successful business.

adjective relating to or based on the idea that one's own group or culture is better or more important than others

• The company's ethnocentric policies led to a lack of diversity in its workforce.
• Some people can be so ethnocentric, thinking their culture is superior to others.
• Don't be so ethnocentric, man. Embrace different cultures.
• His ethnocentric views created a barrier between him and people from different backgrounds.

noun a thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it

• The decision to move forward with the project was seen as a fait accompli by the board members.
• Once she made up her mind, it was a fait accompli that we were going to the beach for the weekend.
• As soon as he said he was buying the tickets, it was a done deal - a fait accompli.
• Her graduation was a fait accompli, given her dedication to her studies and hard work.

noun A set of political goals that seeks to outline how a particular country will interact with other countries in the world.

• The country's foreign policy aims to promote diplomatic relations with other nations.
• The government's foreign policy is all about dealing with other countries.
• When it comes to foreign policy, it's all about playing nice with the other kids on the global playground.
• In the game of international politics, foreign policy is like chess - strategic moves determine success.

adjective showing a lack of wisdom or prudence; unwise

• It would be impolitic to discuss such sensitive matters in public.
• It's probably impolitic to bring up politics at the family dinner.
• Talking about your ex is just impolitic, dude.
• Her actions were impolitic, like playing with fire in a dry forest.

noun an instance of invading, especially by an armed force

• The country prepared its defense against a potential invasion from neighboring nations.
• I heard there might be an invasion at the party tonight, so make sure to dress to impress.
• Did you see that invasion of tourists at the mall? It's so crowded!
• The invasion of social media influencers on my feed is overwhelming.

noun a person who is experienced and sophisticated in the ways of the world

• He is considered a man of the world due to his extensive travels and cultural knowledge.
• Everyone knows he's a real man of the world, always jetting off to exotic destinations.
• That guy thinks he's such a man of the world, but he's never even left his hometown.
• As a successful diplomat, he is truly a man of the world, bridging cultural gaps and fostering international relations.

noun a region in Western Asia and North Africa, including countries such as Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey

• The Middle East is known for its rich history and diverse cultures.
• Have you ever been to the Middle East? It's such an interesting place.
• I heard the food in the Middle East is bomb!
• The political situation in the Middle East is like a powder keg waiting to explode.

noun a way of living or way of life; a practical compromise or arrangement between parties in a dispute

• The two countries have agreed on a modus vivendi to peacefully coexist.
• Let's just find a modus vivendi so we can get along.
• We need to work out a modus vivendi to avoid any conflicts.
• In the world of business, finding a modus vivendi with your competitors is essential for success.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• The two companies are on a par in terms of market share.
• Their skills are on a par with each other.
• They're basically on a par when it comes to gaming abilities.
• The student's performance is on a par with the top performers in the class.

noun an ocean bordered by the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica

adjective relating to or characteristic of the Pacific Ocean

• The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions.
• I love taking vacations to the Pacific coast for some relaxation.
• Let's hit up the Pacific for some rad surfing this weekend.
• She had a pacific demeanor, always calm and collected in any situation.

noun the act of pacifying or the state of being pacified; appeasement or calmness

• The pacification of the region was achieved through diplomatic negotiations.
• The pacification process in the neighborhood has helped improve safety and reduce crime.
• The cops are trying to pacify the situation before things get out of hand.
• The pacification of his anger was evident in his calm demeanor.

noun A person who is welcome or acceptable in a particular social or professional setting

• The ambassador was declared persona grata by the host country.
• The new employee quickly became persona grata among the team.
• Once you bring pizza to the party, you'll be persona grata for sure.
• Her kind and helpful nature made her persona grata in the community.

noun a person who is not welcome or accepted in a particular country or group

adjective not welcome or accepted in a particular country or group

• After the scandal, the diplomat was declared persona non grata by the host country.
• Once he caused trouble at the party, he became persona non grata among his friends.
• She's basically persona non grata in our group now.
• His outdated views on social issues made him persona non grata in the modern world.

noun a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons that is present in certain rock strata and can be extracted and refined to produce fuels including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel

• Petroleum is a fossil fuel that is commonly used for energy production.
• My dad works in the petroleum industry, so he knows a lot about oil drilling.
• I heard that there's a huge stash of black gold, aka petroleum, just waiting to be found.
• Her creativity flowed like an endless well of petroleum, fueling her artistic endeavors.

noun a person who is involved in politics or who holds a political office

adjective relating to the government or public affairs of a country

• The political landscape in the country is constantly changing.
• I try to avoid discussing political topics at family gatherings.
• I'm not really into all that political stuff, you know?
• The decision had major political implications that reverberated throughout the region.

noun the academic study of government and the state

• The study of politics is essential for understanding how societies are governed.
• I try to avoid discussing politics at family gatherings to prevent arguments.
• I'm so over all the drama in politics these days.
• In the game of politics, you have to know when to make your move.

noun an organized society; a state as a political entity

• The polity of the ancient Greek city-states was characterized by direct democracy.
• The polity in this country is a mix of different political parties.
• I don't really get into all that polity stuff, it's too complicated for me.
• In the polity of social media, likes and retweets determine popularity.

noun a reestablishing of cordial relations

• The two countries are working towards a rapprochement in order to improve diplomatic relations.
• There seems to be a rapprochement between the two neighbors after years of tension.
• I never thought there would be a rapprochement between those two, but stranger things have happened.
• The rapprochement between the opposing political parties was like a breath of fresh air in the otherwise stagnant political atmosphere.

noun an act of retaliation

• The country warned of potential reprisals if the trade agreement was violated.
• She was afraid of reprisals from her boss if she made a mistake.
• I wouldn't mess with him if I were you, he's known for his brutal reprisals.
• His cold shoulder was a silent reprisal for her betrayal.

noun the highest point of a hill or mountain

verb to reach the highest point or level

• The leaders will meet at the summit to discuss important global issues.
• Let's hike to the summit for a great view of the valley.
• I heard the concert at the summit was lit!
• Reaching the summit of success requires dedication and hard work.

adjective not characterized by friendliness or goodwill; hostile

• The business partners decided to part ways due to their unamicable relationship.
• They couldn't stand each other anymore, so they ended things on an unamicable note.
• Their breakup was totally unamicable, it was like a bad episode of reality TV.
• The stormy weather mirrored their unamicable parting, with thunder and lightning crackling in the air.

adjective relating to, affecting, or done by one side only

• The country made a unilateral decision to impose new trade tariffs.
• She decided unilaterally to cancel the meeting without consulting anyone.
• He went ahead and did it all by himself, totally unilateral.
• The artist's unilateral choice of colors created a striking contrast in the painting.

noun In some contexts, BNO may be used as an abbreviation for 'Buy Now Online'.

• The BNO, or British National (Overseas) passport, allows Hong Kong residents to travel to the UK for up to six months without a visa.
• I just got my BNO renewed so I can visit my family in the UK next month.
• My friend said he lost his BNO and now he can't go on his trip to London.
• Having a BNO is like having a golden ticket to the UK for Hong Kong citizens.

noun A person who is a British expatriate, especially one who left the UK due to Brexit

• The Brexpats living in Spain are concerned about their residency status post-Brexit.
• I heard that Brexpats are finding it difficult to navigate the new visa requirements.
• The Brexpats are really feeling the pinch since the Brexit vote.
• Being a Brexpat feels like being caught in the middle of a political storm.

noun the action or process of attempting to establish peace in a conflict or post-conflict situation

• Peacebuilding efforts have been ongoing in the region for several years.
• They're working on peacebuilding stuff in the community.
• Peacebuilding is all about spreading good vibes and harmony.
• In the garden of humanity, peacebuilding is the seed that grows into a beautiful flower of unity.

noun a blend of the words 'digital' and 'diplomacy', referring to the use of digital tools and technologies in diplomatic relations

• The government is utilizing digiplomacy to engage with other countries through online platforms.
• Diplomats are now using digiplomacy to communicate with foreign officials on social media.
• Have you seen the latest digiplomacy tweets from the embassy?
• In the digital age, digiplomacy has become an essential tool for international relations.

noun the practice of engaging in diplomacy through secret or indirect means

• Backdoor diplomacy is often used by countries to resolve conflicts discreetly.
• Politicians sometimes resort to backdoor diplomacy to avoid public scrutiny.
• Let's try some backdoor diplomacy to smooth things over without anyone knowing.
• In relationships, backdoor diplomacy can be a way to address issues without confrontation.

noun a portmanteau of Scotland and exit, referring to the potential exit of Scotland from the United Kingdom

• The potential for Scoxit has created uncertainty in the political landscape of the UK.
• Have you heard about Scoxit? It's all over the news.
• Scoxit is such a hot topic right now.
• The idea of Scoxit looms like a shadow over the future of Scotland.

noun the practice or skill of conducting or participating in high-level meetings or conferences between heads of state or government

• The success of the summitry between the two countries led to a historic peace agreement.
• The summitry meeting went well and both leaders seemed pleased with the outcome.
• I heard the summitry was lit, everyone was excited about the decisions made.
• The summitry at the conference brought together different perspectives to reach a common goal.

noun diplomacy

• The ambassador engaged in patio diplomacy to discuss the trade agreement with the foreign delegation.
• We decided to do a little patio diplomacy with our neighbors over a barbecue.
• Let's skip the formal meetings and do some patio diplomacy instead.
• Using patio diplomacy, the two rival gangs were able to reach a truce and avoid further violence.

verb to arm with or convert into nuclear weapons

• The government decided to nuclearize their military capabilities in response to increasing threats.
• They're planning to nuclearize their arsenal to show they mean business.
• They're gonna nuke up their weapons to scare off their enemies.
• The intense argument seemed to nuclearize, escalating into a full-blown confrontation.

noun a reestablishing of cordial relations

• The two countries are working towards a reproachment after years of strained relations.
• There seems to be a reproachment between them after their big argument.
• I never thought they would make a reproachment, but I'm glad they did.
• The reproachment between the two rival companies was unexpected but beneficial for both parties.

noun a portmanteau of 'Scotland' and 'exit', referring to the potential departure of Scotland from the United Kingdom

• The potential Scexit referendum has sparked heated debates among politicians and citizens alike.
• Have you heard about the latest rumors surrounding Scexit? It's all anyone can talk about.
• I can't believe they're seriously considering Scexit, it's like a bad breakup waiting to happen.
• The idea of Scexit looms over the country like a dark cloud, threatening to disrupt the status quo.

noun a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country or region

• English is the official language of the United States.
• In the US, English is the main language used.
• Everyone speaks English in the US.
• English reigns supreme as the official language in the US.

noun a large expanse of clear sky without obstructions

adjective describing the type of skies that are open and clear

• The treaty allowed for open skies between the two countries, promoting peaceful relations.
• I love flying under open skies, it's so freeing.
• Let's hit the road and drive under the open skies, man.
• Her mind was like open skies, full of endless possibilities.

adjective describing an agreement or arrangement that was made beforehand

• The terms of the contract were pre-agreed upon by both parties.
• We had already pre-agreed on the meeting time, so there was no need to discuss it again.
• We're all set for the trip - everything is pre-agreed and good to go.
• Their minds were pre-agreed on the decision before the meeting even started.

noun a compound noun formed by combining 'narco', related to drug trafficking, with 'violence', meaning the use of physical force to harm others

• The government is taking measures to address the issue of narcoviolence in the region.
• People are scared to go out at night because of all the narcoviolence happening around here.
• The streets are filled with narcoviolence and it's getting out of control.
• The dark cloud of narcoviolence looms over the city, casting a shadow on its residents.

noun a person or group of people related by blood or marriage who participate in or are associated with the Olympic Games

• The Olympic family consists of all the athletes, officials, and other individuals involved in the Olympic Games.
• Being part of the Olympic family means you get to meet athletes from all around the world.
• Once you're in the Olympic family, you're part of a global squad.
• The bond within the Olympic family is as strong as gold medals.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The artist used a combination of green on blue to create a calming effect in the painting.
• I love how the green on blue in this room makes it feel so peaceful and relaxing.
• That outfit with the green on blue is totally on point!
• The tension between the two characters was like a clash of green on blue, creating a sense of unease.

noun agreements or harmony in relationships

verb to give or grant someone power, status, or recognition

• The two countries signed accords to strengthen diplomatic relations.
• They made a deal and shook hands on the accords.
• They were in cahoots and agreed to the accords.
• Their hearts were in accord, despite their differences on the surface.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The new policy accords with the company's commitment to sustainability.
• The plan totally accords with what we talked about last week.
• His outfit totally accords with the latest fashion trends.
• Her actions accords with the saying 'actions speak louder than words'.

verb to accept, comply, or submit passively without protest

• The board members were hesitant at first, but ended up acquiescing to the CEO's proposal.
• After much debate, they finally gave in and acquiesced to the plan.
• They were totally against it at first, but eventually caved and acquiesced.
• The clouds seemed to part, acquiescing to the sun's warm embrace.

noun A suffix forming abstract nouns from adjectives, typically expressing a state or quality.

• The company's policy clearly outlines the importance of transparency and accuracy in financial reporting.
• She always double-checks her work to make sure there's no inaccuracy.
• I can't believe the audacity of that guy to lie straight to our faces!
• His mastery of the guitar is unparalleled, showcasing his musical fluency and dexterity.