Verbs for Negotiation and Discussion · Verbs: Verbal Action

to negotiate the terms of a contract, sale, or similar arrangement for a better agreement, price, etc.

"You should bargain for a better price."

"The tourist tried to bargain with the street vendor to get a lower price for the handmade necklace."

to discuss the terms of an agreement with an opposing side, usually an enemy

"The generals parleyed before the battle."

"The two rival gang leaders agreed to parley in neutral territory to discuss a possible ceasefire and end the violence between their groups."

to negotiate, typically over the price of goods or services

"Haggle over the price at the market."

"The tourist tried to haggle with the street vendor to get a better price for the handmade necklace."

to negotiate with someone, particularly about the price of something

"Used car buyers dicker over prices."

"The customer dickered with the seller over the price of the antique vase for nearly an hour before making a deal."

to help make deals or agreements between different parties

"She brokers peace between warring factions."

"The diplomat helped to broker a peace agreement between the two warring nations after months of negotiations."

to officially resolve a disagreement between people

"He will arbitrate the issue."

"The neutral third party was called in to arbitrate the dispute between the two companies and help them reach an agreement."

to formally discuss a matter, usually in a structured setting

"The politicians will debate tonight."

"The two political candidates will debate important issues such as healthcare education and climate change on live television tonight."

to provide a valid reason or explanation for an action, decision, or belief, usually something that others consider wrong

"He can't justify it."

"The young man tried to justify his rude behavior by saying that he was very tired and stressed from work."

to create reasonable explanations for behaviors, decisions, or actions, especially when they may not truly represent the real motives

"She rationalized her bad decision."

"She tried to rationalize her bad decision by blaming external factors instead of accepting her own responsibility for the mistake."

to discuss thoroughly and understand all the details of something

"Talk through the problem step by step."

"The therapist encouraged the couple to talk through their problems instead of shouting at each other."

to thoroughly discuss something, particularly to reach an agreement or make a decision

"Let's talk over this."

"We need to talk over the details of the project proposal before we can finalize the budget and timeline."

to discuss the terms of an agreement or try to reach one

"The union will negotiate a contract."

"The union representatives will negotiate with management to secure better wages and working conditions for all employees."

to discuss a particular thing with someone, especially something that is important or serious

"Let's talk about it."

"We need to talk about the serious implications of this decision."

to come to an agreement after a dispute by reducing demands

"We must compromise to reach an agreement."

"We must compromise to reach an agreement because neither side will get everything they want."

to negotiate over the price of goods or services

"Let's chaffer about price."

"The customer began to chaffer with the merchant over the price of the antique rug."

to decisively conclude something, such as an argument or a contract

"The team clinched the championship title."

"The team scored the winning goal in the final minute to clinch the championship title for the first time in ten years."

to talk about something with someone, often in a formal manner

"We need to discuss the budget."

"The committee will discuss the proposed budget changes during their weekly meeting tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock."

to present justifications or explanations for a particular idea, decision, conclusion, etc.

"You reason this out."

"The scientist will reason why the experiment failed due to unexpected variables."

to provide reasons to make an action or situation seem acceptable

"Please explain this."

"She tried to explain her absence by citing unforeseen circumstances."

to provide explanations or reasons for a particular situation or set of circumstances

"Account for the cost."

"The manager asked the team to account for the significant budget overrun."