negotiation

noun

ne·​go·​ti·​a·​tion ni-ˌgō-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce negotiation (audio)
nonstandard
-sē- How to pronounce negotiation (audio)
Synonyms of negotiationnext
: the action or process of negotiating or being negotiated
—often plural
Negotiations between the two governments have failed to produce an agreement.

Synonyms of negotiation

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Examples of negotiation in a Sentence

We need a negotiation between the townspeople and mayor over the site of the new library. She is skilled at negotiation. The college president was against any negotiation with the students.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since negotiations stalled Friday, the US has imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 Sources briefed on the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly said that any difference in price between Mamdani’s $100 tickets and the actual value is being absorbed by USTA. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The move is a pivot in the near-six-month war in Iran after negotiations and a framework deal between the countries have failed to end the conflict. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 Those positions remain in flux and negotiations between Assembly members, state senators and Newsom are ongoing, Assembly Natural Resources Committee Chair Isaac Bryan, D-Jefferson Park, said. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for negotiation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English negociacion "dealing with people," borrowed from Latin negōtiātiōn-, negōtiātiō "business, trade," from negōtiārī "to do business, trade, deal" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at negotiate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of negotiation was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing negotiation

Rhymes for negotiation

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Browse Nearby Words

negotiate
negotiation
negotiator
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Cite this Entry

“Negotiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negotiation. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on negotiation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about negotiation

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