Vocabulary in context
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Mediate
To intervene in a dispute to bring about an agreement or settlement; to act as an intermediary between parties.
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Imagine This
Imagine you are a calm, patient mediator standing between two feuding neighbors. You listen to each side, propose a fair compromise, and guide them toward a middle ground where both can agree.
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Sounds Like
mee-dee-ate
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Looks Like
Contains the root medi- meaning middle; resembles words like medium, mediation, and mediator that share the same idea of being in the middle.
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Remember This
The root 'medi-' comes from Latin medius meaning middle; 'mediator' is literally a go-between who sits in the middle to resolve conflict.
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Other Forms
mediatornoun
mediationnoun
mediatedverb (past participle)
mediatingverb (present participle)
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Connect With
arbitrate, negotiate, conciliate, intervene, go-between, liaison, broker
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Note
Do not confuse mediate with meditate. Mediate involves settling disputes by negotiation or intervention; meditate means to think deeply or contemplate. Also note the related noun forms mediator and mediation.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- A skilled attorney was hired to mediate the dispute between the two parties.
- The United Nations assisted in mediating a ceasefire between the rival factions.
Synonyms
arbitratenegotiateconciliateintervenefacilitate
Antonyms
escalateignoreprovoke
Etymology
From Medieval Latin mediator, from Latin medius 'middle' + agent suffix -ator; ultimately related to medius meaning middle. The word conveys the idea of standing in the middle to broker an agreement.
Mnemonic
Move Disputes Into Agreement (MDIA) — a mediator's job is to stand in the middle and guide parties toward a settlement.
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Deliberate
verbTo think about, discuss, or decide after careful consideration; to act with intention or premeditation.
Arrogant
adjectiveBehaving in a proud, superior manner; overestimating one’s importance or ability
Heed
verbTo pay attention to something; to notice and consider it, often in order to act on it.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Negotiate
verbTo bargain with others to reach an agreement on terms; to discuss and arrange terms of a deal. It can also mean to manage or navigate through obstacles by discussion and cooperation.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
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