Negotiation Strategies

verb to accept, comply, or submit passively without protest

• Despite her reservations, she had no choice but to acquiesce to the new company policy.
• After much debate, he finally acquiesced and agreed to go to the party.
• She was so stubborn, but eventually she had to acquiesce and let him borrow her car.
• The river refused to acquiesce to the rocks in its path, instead carving a new course through the landscape.

noun consent or agreement without protest

• The employee's acquiescence to the new company policy was noted by management.
• She nodded in acquiescence when asked if she wanted to join the team for lunch.
• I gave a little head nod of acquiescence to show I was on board with the plan.
• His acquiescence to her demands was like a surrender to her power.

adjective not in agreement or harmony; at variance

adverb in a state of disagreement or discord

• The two parties were in complete agreement with each other.
• They were totally agee on that issue.
• They were like totally agee, dude.
• Their minds were agee like two peas in a pod.

adjective pleasing or pleasant; willing to agree or consent

• The terms of the agreement were mutually agreeable to both parties.
• I find the weather today quite agreeable, don't you?
• This party is going to be so agreeable, I can't wait!
• His agreeable personality made him a joy to be around.

noun a geometric figure formed by two rays with a common endpoint

verb to try to obtain something indirectly or by insinuation

• The company seems to be angling for a takeover bid.
• She's definitely angling for a promotion with all the extra work she's been doing.
• I can tell he's angling for a free meal by being extra nice to the waiter.
• The politician is always angling for votes with his promises and speeches.

noun a movement or process in which someone or something moves repeatedly in one direction and then in the opposite direction

adverb moving repeatedly in one direction and then in the opposite direction

• The negotiations went back and forth between the two parties for weeks.
• We kept going back and forth on which restaurant to choose for dinner.
• We were texting back and forth all night.
• Her emotions were going back and forth like a pendulum.

noun a thing bought or offered for sale at a price lower than its value

verb to negotiate the terms and conditions of a transaction, typically to get a lower price

• I was able to negotiate a great bargain on the price of the house.
• I scored a really good bargain on these shoes at the store.
• I can't believe I got this jacket for a steal, what a bargain!
• Learning a new language is a bargain for expanding your horizons.

noun a steep cliff, bank, or promontory

verb to try to deceive someone by making them believe something that is not true

adjective having a broad, steep face

• The businessman tried to bluff his way through the negotiations.
• Don't believe him, he's just bluffing.
• She's really good at calling someone's bluff.
• His confident demeanor was just a bluff to hide his insecurities.

noun a subject or issue over which there is continuing disagreement or conflict

• The budget allocation for the project has become a bone of contention among the stakeholders.
• The choice of movie for tonight is the bone of contention between us.
• The new dress code is the bone of contention in the office.
• The disputed inheritance has become the bone of contention between the siblings.

verb to cause someone to regain consciousness or recover from a difficult situation

adverb in a circular or circuitous direction

• The paramedics were able to bring round the unconscious patient.
• I'll try to bring round some snacks for the party tonight.
• Let's bring round some drinks and have a good time.
• His inspiring speech really helped bring round the team's morale.

noun a foreign policy strategy in which one nation pushes a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster in order to achieve the most advantageous outcome

• The two countries engaged in brinkmanship as they both tried to gain the upper hand in negotiations.
• The siblings were constantly playing a game of brinkmanship, always trying to one-up each other.
• The students' brinkmanship in class was getting out of hand, with each one trying to outsmart the other.
• The CEO's brinkmanship in the business world paid off as he successfully navigated through risky decisions.

adjective stubbornly inflexible or obstinate

• His bullheaded refusal to listen to reason cost the company a significant amount of money.
• My boss is so bullheaded, he never changes his mind once it's made up.
• Don't be so bullheaded about it, just give it a try!
• Her bullheaded determination to succeed propelled her to achieve her goals against all odds.

adjective reluctant to give information; secretive or evasive

adverb in a cagey manner

• The politician was very cagey when asked about his plans for the upcoming election.
• She's being really cagey about where she went last night.
• I can tell he's being cagey because he keeps dodging my questions.
• Her emotions were like a cagey animal, always ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.

noun a document containing the terms of surrender

• The country's capitulation to the demands of the invading army was met with mixed reactions.
• After hours of negotiation, the team finally reached a point of capitulation.
• I can't believe he just threw in the towel like that, total capitulation.
• Her capitulation to his charm was evident in the way she couldn't stop smiling around him.

adjective careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences

• It is important to be circumspect when making decisions that could impact the company.
• I always try to be circumspect when choosing which restaurant to eat at.
• Dude, you gotta be circumspect about who you trust with your secrets.
• She approached the situation with a circumspect attitude, carefully considering all possible outcomes.

noun a talk between two or more people in which thoughts, feelings, and ideas are expressed

• The conversation at the conference was very enlightening.
• I had a great conversation with my friend over coffee.
• I overheard their conversation and it was juicy!
• The painting sparked a conversation between art enthusiasts.

noun a move made in response to an opponent's move in a game or conflict

• The chess player made a strategic countermove to protect their king.
• She quickly made a countermove in the argument to defend herself.
• He pulled a slick countermove in the game to outsmart his opponent.
• Her decision to invest in stocks was a countermove to combat inflation.

noun a contrary or conflicting goal or aim

adjective involving conflicting or opposing intentions or goals

• The two departments were working at cross purposes, causing confusion in the project.
• They were both trying to do their own thing, so they ended up at cross purposes.
• They were totally not on the same page and working at cross purposes.
• Their relationship was strained because they were always at cross purposes.

noun a business transaction

verb to engage in commercial or trade activities

• The company is currently dealing with a high volume of customer inquiries.
• I'm tired of dealing with all this drama at work.
• I can't believe I have to deal with this mess.
• She's been dealing with a lot of emotional baggage lately.

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 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.

noun a conversation or debate about a certain topic

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The panelists engaged in a thoughtful discussion on the implications of the new policy.
• We had a good discussion about our upcoming vacation plans.
• Let's have a quick discussion about where to eat for lunch.
• The artist's use of color sparked a lively discussion among art critics.

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.

verb to make known; reveal; disclose

• The witness refused to divulge any information about the crime.
• I can't believe you finally divulged your secret crush to me!
• She promised not to divulge the juicy gossip to anyone else.
• The artist's paintings seem to divulge his innermost thoughts and emotions.

adjective giving emphasis or expressing something forcibly and clearly

• The speaker was emphatic in his denunciation of the government's policies.
• She was really emphatic about wanting to go to the concert.
• I'm telling you, he was emphatic AF about not going to the party.
• Her eyes were emphatic in conveying her disappointment.

noun a close and harmonious relationship

adjective in harmony or agreement

• The two parties were not en rapport on the terms of the agreement.
• I don't think we're en rapport with our neighbors about the noise level.
• We need to get en rapport before we can move forward with the project.
• Their ideas were en rapport, leading to a successful collaboration.

noun the act of increasing or intensifying

• The escalation of tensions between the two countries is concerning.
• Things are really heating up between them, it's getting intense.
• The situation is getting out of hand, it's escalating quickly.
• The escalation of emotions in the room was palpable.

noun a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance

• Her constant lateness caused a feeling of exasperation among her colleagues.
• I could sense his exasperation when he had to explain the same thing for the third time.
• I could tell by the way she rolled her eyes that she was feeling major exasperation.
• The overflowing sink was a visual representation of his growing exasperation with the plumbing issues.

noun a person or thing that is regarded with approval, goodwill, or liking

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

• The company was able to gain favor with the investors after presenting their impressive financial statements.
• I hope I can gain favor with my boss by finishing this project ahead of schedule.
• If you want to get that promotion, you've got to butter up the boss and get in their favor.
• The artist's unique style has gained favor with art collectors around the world.

noun a physical or emotional sensation

verb to explore or assess a situation or person cautiously or tentatively

• She was feeling out the situation before making any decisions.
• He's just feeling out if she's interested in him.
• I'm feeling out the vibe of the party before I decide if I want to stay.
• The artist was feeling out different color combinations before finalizing the painting.

noun skillful handling of a situation

verb to handle or deal with something in a skillful or delicate way

• She executed the task with great finesse, paying attention to every detail.
• He managed to finesse his way out of a tricky situation.
• She's got mad finesse when it comes to handling difficult customers.
• The artist painted with finesse, creating a masterpiece that captured the essence of the subject.

noun excessive and insincere praise, especially that given to further one's own interests

verb flatter (to praise someone insincerely to their face in order to manipulate or deceive them)

• The politician was not swayed by the flattery of the lobbyists.
• She couldn't help but blush at his flattery.
• I see you trying to butter me up with all that flattery.
• Flattery is like perfume - smelling it is fine, but swallowing it is dangerous.

adjective showing strength or power; effective and assertive

• The leader delivered a forceful speech to rally the troops.
• She gave him a forceful shove to get his attention.
• He threw a forceful punch in the fight.
• The artist used forceful brush strokes to create a dynamic effect.

adverb in a forceful manner; with great strength or intensity

• The officer forcefully instructed the crowd to disperse.
• She forcefully told him to stop playing video games and do his homework.
• He forcefully grabbed the last piece of pizza before anyone else could.
• The artist's brush strokes were so powerful and forceful, they seemed to jump off the canvas.

noun the practice of winning a game or contest by using methods that are not strictly illegal but are often seen as unsporting or unethical

• The athlete was accused of using gamesmanship to gain an advantage over his opponent.
• She's a master of gamesmanship, always finding ways to outsmart her competitors.
• I can't believe the level of gamesmanship he displayed during the match.
• In the world of politics, gamesmanship is often used to manipulate public opinion.

noun a large amount or quantity of something

adjective of high quality or standard

• The negotiation resulted in a good deal for both parties involved.
• I think we got a really good deal on that car.
• We scored a sweet deal on those concert tickets.
• Investing in your education is always a good deal in the long run.

verb to give or allow someone something

adjective given as a privilege or right

• The judge granted the defendant's request for a continuance.
• I granted myself a day off from work to relax.
• I granted you permission to use my car for the weekend.
• She granted him forgiveness for his past mistakes.

noun the act of demanding something firmly or persistently; the quality of being insistent

• Despite his insistence on following the rules, he was still reprimanded for being late.
• She kept calling with insistence until he finally agreed to go out on a date with her.
• Stop with the insistence, I already told you I'm not interested.
• Her insistence on perfection was like a double-edged sword, pushing her to excel but also causing unnecessary stress.

noun a person or thing that is irreconcilable

adjective not able to be resolved or made compatible

• The two parties had irreconcilable differences in their negotiation.
• They just couldn't see eye to eye on anything, their views were irreconcilable.
• They were like oil and water, their opinions were totally irreconcilable.
• Their relationship had reached an irreconcilable point of no return.

noun the use of public statements to influence the actions or policies of others

verb to use persuasive or forceful speech to influence or pressure someone

• The government engaged in jawboning to encourage companies to invest in renewable energy.
• The boss is always jawboning about meeting deadlines.
• Stop jawboning and start taking action!
• His jawboning was like music to her ears, soothing and reassuring.

noun the amount of freedom to move or act that is available

• The project deadline allows for some leeway in case of unexpected delays.
• You have some leeway to finish the assignment by the end of the week.
• I'll give you some leeway on this one, just make sure it's done by tomorrow.
• She gave him leeway to express his creativity in the project design.

noun the practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics, by reciprocal voting for each other's proposed legislation

• The practice of logrolling in politics involves exchanging favors to gain mutual support for legislative actions.
• I heard they were logrolling to get that new bill passed in Congress.
• Politicians are always logrolling to get what they want.
• In a figurative sense, logrolling can also refer to people working together to achieve a common goal.

verb to intervene in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation

• The mediator was able to successfully mediate the dispute between the two parties.
• I'll try to mediate the argument between my siblings before it gets out of hand.
• Let's get someone to mediate this drama before it blows up.
• Music has the power to mediate our emotions and bring us peace.

noun the area or point between two extremes or opposing viewpoints

adjective relating to or characteristic of a compromise or moderate position

• In order to reach a compromise, both parties must find a middle ground.
• Let's try to meet in the middle and find a middle ground that works for everyone.
• We need to find a sweet spot that's the middle ground for both of us.
• The middle ground between love and hate is often indifference.

noun a person who leads a political party that has fewer members in a legislative body than the opposing party

• The minority leader in the Senate is responsible for representing the views of the minority party.
• The minority leader is like the captain of the losing team in politics.
• The minority leader is basically the head honcho of the underdogs.
• Being the minority leader is like leading a small band of rebels against the ruling party.

verb to calm or soothe someone's anger or anxiety

• The CEO's speech was aimed at mollifying the concerns of the shareholders.
• She tried mollifying her upset friend by offering to buy them ice cream.
• I'm hoping this apology will do the trick in mollifying my angry boss.
• The soothing music had a mollifying effect on my stress levels.

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

• There is nothing of the kind in the official report.
• Don't worry, there's nothing of the kind happening here.
• Nah, man, there's nothing of the kind going on.
• His actions spoke volumes, showing nothing of the kind of person he claimed to be.

noun the estimated or perceived worth or significance of something in terms of inconvenience or annoyance it causes

• The lawyer argued that the lawsuit was filed merely for nuisance value.
• I think he's just suing for nuisance value.
• She's just causing a nuisance value with all her complaints.
• The barking dog was more of a nuisance value than a real threat.

adjective stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so

• The obstinate child refused to eat any vegetables.
• She's so obstinate, she never listens to anyone else's opinion.
• My brother can be so obstinate sometimes, it's like talking to a brick wall.
• His obstinate refusal to compromise led to the project's failure.

noun a player's first move in a game or competition, often strategically important

• The opening move in the negotiation set the tone for the rest of the discussion.
• His opening move in the game was to move his pawn forward.
• She made a bold opening move by asking him out on a date.
• The company's decision to invest in renewable energy was seen as their opening move towards a more sustainable future.

verb to talk more or better than someone else in a conversation or discussion

• He was able to outtalk his opponent during the debate with logical arguments.
• She always manages to outtalk everyone in the group discussions.
• I bet I can outtalk you in a rap battle!
• His charisma and charm allowed him to effortlessly outtalk anyone he encountered.

noun an introduction to something more substantial

• The composer began the symphony with a grand overture to set the tone for the rest of the piece.
• The movie started with an overture that got everyone excited for what was to come.
• The party kicked off with a bangin' overture that got everyone in the mood to dance.
• The CEO's announcement served as an overture to the major changes coming to the company.

verb to convince someone to do something through reasoning or argument

• The lawyer persuaded the jury with compelling evidence.
• I finally persuaded my friend to come to the party with me.
• She really knows how to persuade people to do what she wants.
• The beauty of the sunset persuaded her to stay a little longer.

noun the act of pacifying or appeasing someone or something

verb to pacify or appease someone or something

• The diplomat attempted placation of the warring factions through negotiation.
• He tried placation by offering to buy her favorite dessert.
• She resorted to placation by promising to do his chores for a week.
• The soothing music acted as a placation for her troubled mind.

noun a person who makes a plea, especially in court

• The pleader presented a compelling argument in court.
• The pleader really knew how to make their case.
• That pleader is a smooth talker, always getting what they want.
• As a pleader for justice, she never backed down from a challenge.

adjective showing no emotion or expression on one's face, especially in a poker game

adverb in a poker-faced manner, without showing emotions or expressions

• She remained poker faced throughout the entire negotiation, revealing nothing of her true feelings.
• Even though he was nervous, he managed to stay poker faced during the job interview.
• I tried to keep a poker faced expression when my friend told a funny joke, but I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
• Despite the chaos around her, she stayed poker faced, showing no sign of fear or panic.

noun a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason

• He used the pretext of a family emergency to leave work early.
• She made up a pretext about feeling sick to skip the party.
• He always has some wild pretext for not doing his homework.
• The smile on her face was just a pretext to hide her true feelings.

noun a physical or verbal resistance or opposition

verb to resist or oppose something, to move something away by applying force

• The company decided to push back the deadline for the project due to unforeseen circumstances.
• I had to push back my dentist appointment because of a scheduling conflict.
• I told him to push back on the offer until they sweeten the deal.
• She had to push back against the negative comments and focus on her own self-worth.

verb to communicate or explain something clearly and effectively

adverb in a way that is easily understood or accepted

• During the presentation, the speaker was able to put across his ideas clearly and concisely.
• I tried to put across my point of view, but no one seemed to be listening.
• She really knows how to put her thoughts across in a way that everyone can understand.
• The artist used vibrant colors to put across the feeling of joy in her painting.

noun a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something

• The business deal was based on a quid pro quo agreement between the two parties.
• I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine, it's a quid pro quo situation.
• Let's do a quid pro quo - you cover my shift today and I'll cover yours tomorrow.
• In relationships, there should be a sense of quid pro quo where both partners give and take equally.

noun A person who acts as an agent for the sale and purchase of buildings and land; a real estate agent.

• The Realtor showed us several properties that met our criteria.
• Our Realtor is really good at finding us the perfect homes.
• My Realtor hooked me up with a sweet deal on my new house.
• The Realtor acted as a guide, leading us through the maze of real estate options.

noun a blunt or abrupt rejection

verb to reject in a blunt or abrupt manner

• The CEO rebuffed the proposal for a merger with a rival company.
• She rebuffed his advances and walked away.
• He tried to ask her out but got rebuffed hard.
• The storm seemed to rebuff all attempts to calm it down.

noun the quality of being reserved or reluctant to speak or communicate

adjective reticent (reluctant to speak or communicate)

• Her reticence in sharing her personal life with her colleagues was noticeable.
• He showed reticence when asked about his plans for the weekend.
• She's always been tight-lipped, but her reticence about the party was suspicious.
• The reticence of the old house revealed its mysterious past.

noun a series of actions or behavior intended to deceive or evade someone

verb to deceive or evade someone by giving them the runaround

• The company's runaround tactics made it difficult to get a straight answer.
• I'm tired of getting the runaround from customer service.
• Stop giving me the runaround and just tell me the truth.
• She felt like she was running in circles, caught in a never-ending runaround.

noun a trick or deception

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• The defendant's lawyer employed a clever ruse to sway the jury in his favor.
• She used a ruse to get out of going to the party with her friends.
• He pulled off a sneaky ruse to skip out on doing his chores.
• His charm was just a ruse to hide his true intentions.

noun A person who sells goods or services

• The salesman presented the new product line to the potential clients.
• The salesman showed off the new products to the customers.
• The salesman pitched the goods to the folks.
• The salesman was like a smooth-talking magician, selling dreams to the audience.

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

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

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

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse

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

conjunction a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause

interjection an exclamation, especially as a part of speech

article a word that is used with a noun to indicate the type of reference being made by the noun

• The new guidelines will help to smooth the way for future collaborations.
• Let's make sure to smooth the way for our guests by providing clear directions.
• I'll talk to the boss and see if we can smooth the way for you to get that promotion.
• By addressing any potential obstacles early on, we can smooth the way for a successful project completion.

noun a situation in which further action or progress by opposing parties is impossible

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• The negotiations between the two countries have reached a stalemate.
• They've been at a stalemate for weeks now, unable to make any progress.
• The game ended in a stalemate, neither player willing to make a move.
• Their relationship had reached a stalemate, with both parties unwilling to compromise.

noun a persistent gaze or glare, especially in a challenging or intimidating way

verb to look fixedly or intently at someone or something, often as a way to intimidate or challenge

• The two competitors engaged in a tense stare down before the match began.
• I could feel the tension as they stared each other down across the room.
• They were really staring each other down, it was intense!
• She had to mentally prepare herself to stare down her fears and move forward.

verb to demand or specify as part of an agreement or arrangement

• The terms of the contract stipulated that payment must be made within 30 days.
• The rules clearly stated that we had to be there by 9pm, no exceptions.
• The boss made it crystal clear that we had to finish the project by Friday.
• The agreement set forth strict guidelines that we had to follow to the letter.

adjective showing no emotion or amusement; serious

adverb in a serious or unemotional manner

• Despite the shocking news, the diplomat remained straight faced during the press conference.
• Even after the embarrassing joke, he managed to stay straight faced.
• I can't believe she kept a straight face when he told that ridiculous story.
• She delivered the bad news with a straight face, hiding her true emotions.

adjective A stubborn person is determined not to change their mind or attitude about something, even when they should.

• The stubborn refusal of the government to negotiate led to a prolonged conflict.
• My dog is so stubborn, he refuses to learn any new tricks.
• She's as stubborn as a mule when it comes to changing her mind.
• His stubborn adherence to outdated beliefs hindered his personal growth.

verb to speak in a condescending or belittling manner towards someone

adverb in a condescending or belittling manner

• The speaker tried to talk down the audience's concerns during the meeting.
• He always tries to talk down anyone who disagrees with him.
• Don't let him talk you down like that, stand up for yourself!
• She felt like the dark clouds were talking down to her, making her feel small and insignificant.

verb to discuss or consider something thoroughly or in detail

• We should schedule a meeting to talk over the new project proposal.
• Let's grab a coffee and talk over our weekend plans.
• I need to talk over some gossip with you later.
• We need to talk over our differences and find a solution.

adjective describing someone who is not easily affected by criticism or insults

• In order to work in the public sector, one must be thick skinned to handle criticism.
• You need to be thick skinned if you want to survive in this industry.
• If you can't handle the heat, you better toughen up and get thick skinned.
• Having a thick skinned attitude will help you navigate through life's challenges with ease.

noun an equivalent given in return

preposition for the purpose of

• In negotiations, it is important to avoid a tit for tat approach and instead focus on finding mutually beneficial solutions.
• If she doesn't share her notes with me, I won't share mine with her - it's just tit for tat.
• He stole my lunch so I stole his - it's all tit for tat.
• The siblings engaged in a tit for tat battle of pranks, each trying to outdo the other.

noun a surface or object that has two opposite sides

adjective describing a surface or object that has two opposite sides

• The contract was written in a two sided format to clearly outline the responsibilities of both parties.
• The pamphlet is two sided, so make sure to read both sides for all the information.
• I like to keep my options open and see things from a two sided perspective.
• Her decision was two sided, weighing the pros and cons before making a choice.

adjective existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden

• The suspect had an ulterior motive for being at the crime scene.
• I think she has an ulterior plan to surprise us on our anniversary.
• I don't trust him, he always has some ulterior agenda.
• His smile seemed friendly, but I could sense an ulterior darkness behind his eyes.

noun a final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation or a breakdown in relations

• The company issued an ultimatum to the striking workers, demanding they return to work within 24 hours.
• My parents gave me an ultimatum to either clean my room or lose my allowance.
• If you don't finish your homework by tonight, I'm gonna drop the ultimatum and make you do it all tomorrow.
• The ultimatum from the rival gang was clear - leave the territory or face the consequences.

adjective not able to be appeased or satisfied

• Her unappeasable desire for perfection drove her to work long hours every day.
• His unappeasable hunger led him to raid the fridge at midnight.
• She's got an unappeasable craving for those new sneakers.
• The unappeasable storm raged on, refusing to calm down.

adjective describing something that is done willingly, without force or pressure

• The witness testified that her statement was uncoerced and given freely.
• I promise I'm uncoerced in my decision to go to the party.
• I swear, my answer was totally uncoerced.
• Her creativity flowed uncoerced, like a river running freely.

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.

adjective exceeding the limits of reason or moderation

• The customer's demand for a full refund without providing any proof of purchase was deemed unreasonable by the store manager.
• I think it's unreasonable for you to expect me to drop everything and help you right now.
• It's totally cray cray to think that kind of behavior is acceptable.
• His expectations were so high, they were floating in the clouds of unreasonableness.

noun the quality or state of being unreasonable

• The court ruled against the plaintiff due to the unreasonableness of their demands.
• I can't believe the unreasonableness of their offer, it's ridiculous!
• Their unreasonableness is off the charts, they need to chill out.
• The unreasonableness of her expectations was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

noun a departure or retreat

verb to leave or abandon a situation or place without explanation or permission

• The investor decided to walk away from the deal due to disagreements over the terms.
• I saw Sarah walkaway from the party early last night.
• Don't let them treat you like that, just walkaway and find better friends.
• Sometimes it's better to walkaway from a toxic relationship for your own well-being.

verb to manipulate or obtain through deceit or trickery

• She managed to wangle an invitation to the exclusive event.
• He always finds a way to wangle free tickets to concerts.
• I can't believe she wangled her way into the party.
• He tried to wangle a better deal out of the negotiations.

verb to influence or persuade someone through flattery or smooth talk

• The salesman tried to wheedle the customer into purchasing the more expensive product.
• She always tries to wheedle her way out of doing chores.
• He's always trying to wheedle free drinks from the bartender.
• The politician attempted to wheedle support from undecided voters.

verb to try to persuade someone to do something by using smooth or flattering words

• The salesman tried wheedling the customer into purchasing the more expensive option.
• She's always wheedling her way into getting what she wants.
• Stop wheedling me for answers, I don't know either!
• Her wheedling smile could charm even the grumpiest of individuals.

verb to seek the affection or love of someone, typically with the intention of establishing a romantic relationship

• The company tried to woo potential investors with a detailed presentation.
• He's been trying to woo her with flowers and chocolates.
• I heard he's been trying to woo her with some smooth talk.
• The singer's performance was so captivating, it seemed to woo the entire audience.

noun a slang term meaning 'nothing' or 'zero'; used to indicate the absence of something

• After conducting thorough research, the scientists found zilch evidence to support the hypothesis.
• I searched everywhere for my keys, but came up with zilch.
• I've been applying to jobs all week, but I've gotten zilch in response.
• Despite his efforts, he felt like he was getting zilch in return for his hard work.

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

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g., I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g., she, it)

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

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses

interjection a word or phrase that expresses a sudden or strong feeling or emotion

article a word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite

• The company plans to squeeze their suppliers until the pips squeak in order to cut costs.
• My boss is really trying to squeeze me until the pips squeak with all these extra tasks.
• I heard that landlord is going to squeeze his tenants until the pips squeak for rent this month.
• The coach pushed the team to their limits, squeezing them until the pips squeak during practice.

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

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence

interjection a word or phrase that expresses a sudden or strong feeling or emotion

article a word that is used to specify a noun, indicating the type of reference being made to the noun

• It is always better to have half a loaf than no bread at all.
• Hey, at least we got half a loaf, better than nothing!
• Half a loaf is better than being completely broke.
• In tough times, remember that half a loaf is better than no bread.

noun a situation in which there are no winners and all parties involved suffer losses

adjective describing a situation in which there are no winners and all parties involved suffer losses

• The negotiation resulted in a lose-lose situation for both parties involved.
• It's a lose-lose situation no matter how you look at it.
• We're in a real lose-lose predicament here.
• Choosing between the two options felt like a lose-lose scenario.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality (boot, shoe, foot)

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being (is)

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun (other)

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

article a word that is used to specify a noun (the)

• In this situation, the boot is on the other foot now.
• Now the shoe is on the other foot.
• Well, looks like the tables have turned and the boot is on the other foot.
• After years of being the underdog, now the shoe is on the other foot and we are dominating the competition.

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 discussion or conversation, especially for resolving a dispute or disagreement

• The diplomats believed that jaw-jaw was a better option than war-war in resolving the conflict.
• Let's just jaw-jaw about it instead of getting into a fight.
• We should just jaw-jaw it out and figure things out.
• Sometimes it's better to jaw-jaw with someone rather than argue and create tension.

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.

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

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, indicating time, place, manner, or degree

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

article a word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite

• She knew how to use her resources to good advantage in order to achieve her goals.
• He always turns his charm to good advantage when trying to get what he wants.
• She's really good at using her connections to advantage in tricky situations.
• Learning to adapt quickly can turn any situation to good advantage.

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

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb

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

• In order to pass the legislation, it is crucial for both parties to reach across the aisle and work together.
• Let's put aside our differences and reach across the aisle to get this project done.
• We need to stop the bickering and just reach across the aisle to find a solution.
• Sometimes you have to reach across the aisle in your own mind to understand someone else's perspective.

noun a strip of land left as a barrier between two properties to prevent disputes over boundaries

• The ransom strip is the narrow strip of land that separates two different properties.
• Make sure you don't park on the ransom strip, it belongs to the neighbors.
• I heard they got into a fight over the ransom strip, crazy stuff.
• The ransom strip of information was the key to solving the mystery.

noun the action or practice of making an offer or estimate that is too low

verb to make an offer or estimate that is too low

• The act of lowballing in negotiations can often lead to mistrust between parties.
• Stop lowballing me on the price, I know it's worth more than that.
• I can't believe they're lowballing us like this, it's insulting.
• His lowballing of the situation only served to downplay the seriousness of the issue at hand.

noun a deliberately low estimate or offer

verb to deliberately estimate or offer at a low amount

• The seller received a lowball offer on the property.
• They tried to lowball me on the price, but I didn't budge.
• Don't lowball me with that offer, I know it's worth more.
• His lowball estimate for the project turned out to be way off.

adjective relating to or involving a compromise

• The legal document contained a compromissory clause outlining the terms of the agreement.
• I had to sign a compromissory note before receiving the loan.
• I didn't realize there was a compromissory condition attached to the deal.
• Their relationship was like a compromissory bond, each person giving a little to find a middle ground.

verb A verb is a word that expresses an action or a state of being. In this case, 'acceded' is a past tense verb indicating that someone agreed to a request or proposal.

• After much deliberation, the committee finally acceded to the demands of the protesters.
• She eventually acceded to his request to go out on a date.
• I can't believe she actually acceded to lending him money again.
• The sun acceded to the clouds, casting a shadow over the landscape.

adverb modifying a verb, adjective, or other adverb, typically answering the question how, in what way, when, or to what extent

• She spoke accommodatingly to all the guests at the event.
• He always tries to be accommodatingly helpful to his friends.
• The customer service representative dealt with the issue accommodatingly.
• The clouds moved accommodatingly to reveal the bright moon.

noun a word used to identify a person, place, thing, or idea, such as understanding

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, such as achieve or reach

preposition a word used before a noun or pronoun to show its relationship to another word in the sentence, such as an

• After several rounds of negotiations, the two parties were able to achieve an understanding on the terms of the contract.
• It took a while, but we finally reached an understanding about who is responsible for cleaning the kitchen.
• We had a heart-to-heart and managed to achieve an understanding about where we stand in our relationship.
• Through open communication and compromise, they were able to reach an understanding and move forward with their plans.

noun a state of being in agreement or acceptance without protest

• The board of directors expressed their acquiescency to the proposed changes in the company's policy.
• She showed her acquiescency by nodding along with the group's decision.
• I can't believe he just went along with it without any acquiescency.
• His acquiescency to her demands was like giving in to a tidal wave of emotions.

adverb in a submissive or compliant manner

• She acquiescently agreed to the terms of the contract.
• He acquiescently went along with the group's decision.
• She just acquiescently went with the flow.
• The old tree acquiescently bent to the force of the wind.

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 quality of being adamant or unyielding in attitude or opinion

adjective adamant or unyielding in attitude or opinion

• Despite the adamance of the opposition, the proposal was eventually approved.
• She's pretty set on her decision, her adamance is impressive.
• I can't believe his adamance on this issue, it's so stubborn.
• Her adamance was like a brick wall, impossible to sway.

noun a person who assumes responsibility for another's debt or obligation

• The adpromissors in the contract must fulfill their obligations according to the agreed terms.
• The adpromissors better not try to back out of the deal at the last minute.
• I heard the adpromissors are trying to weasel their way out of the agreement.
• The adpromissors hold the key to unlocking the success of the partnership.

noun A person who makes a stipulation or condition in a contract or agreement

• The adstipulator was responsible for ensuring all advertising content met legal requirements.
• The adstipulator had to double-check all the ads to make sure they were okay.
• The adstipulator was the ad police, always checking for any sneaky tactics.
• In the world of advertising, the adstipulator was the gatekeeper of truth and transparency.