negotiate
verb (used without object)
to deal or bargain with another or others, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.
have been negotiating
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present perfect progressiveof negotiate.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
The two sides have been negotiating ever since.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
As the legislative session nears its end, Newsom’s staff and lawmakers have been negotiating behind closed doors on a deal to limit utilities’ wildfire liabilities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
U.S. officials have been negotiating with Taiwan for months, as the Trump administration works to reshore more high-tech manufacturing and Taiwan seeks to lower U.S. import duties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
The maritime industry opposes the rule and the ports have been negotiating with the regulator a cooperative agreement that would eliminate the need for such a rule.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2025
You know that for some days back I have been negotiating to raise a small loan of four hundred pounds to take us to Sardinia and start our mine.
From Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I. by Charles James Lever
