Synonyms

negotiate

American

[ni-goh-shee-eyt] / nɪˈgoʊ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

negotiated, negotiating

to deal or bargain with another or others, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.

verb (used with object)

negotiated, negotiating

to arrange for or bring about by discussion and settlement of terms.

to negotiate a loan.
to manage; transact; conduct.

He negotiated an important business deal.
to move through, around, or over in a satisfactory manner.

to negotiate a difficult dance step without tripping: to negotiate sharp curves.
to transfer (a draft, promissory note, etc.) to a new owner by endorsement and delivery or by delivery.

Synonyms:

transmit, convey

negotiate British

/ nɪˈɡəʊʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

to work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, an agreement, etc)
(tr) to succeed in passing through, around, or over

to negotiate a mountain pass
(tr) finance
1. to transfer (a negotiable commercial paper) by endorsement to another in return for value received
2. to sell (financial assets)
3. to arrange for (a loan)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

negotiator noun
prenegotiate verb
unnegotiated adjective
well-negotiated adjective

Etymology

Origin of negotiate

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin negōtiātus “traded,” past participle of negōtiārī “to do business, trade,” verb derivative of negōtium “business,” from nec, neg- “not” ( neglect ( def. ) ) + ōtium “leisure”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Just before 05:00, Pakistan's Prime Minister announced that a ceasefire had been agreed and invited the two sides to meet in Islamabad on Friday, 10 April to "further negotiate for a conclusive agreement".

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Stocks were set for modest early gains following a report from Axios that suggests Iran is working through mediators, including Pakistan, to negotiate a 45-day cease-fire.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Is there any way to negotiate with the IRS to pay less?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

He said strike action was "wholly avoidable" if the government was willing to negotiate.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

“Their peaceful invasion suggests to me that it may be possible to negotiate a peace treaty with the Erudite and the other Dauntless,” he continues.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023