Mediate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when a neutral party helps two or more sides to come to an agreement or resolve a conflict.

• The manager mediated the dispute between two employees.
• She was asked to mediate the negotiations.

Used when someone intervenes on behalf of another person, often in a compassionate or advocating manner. This term can carry a formal or slightly old-fashioned tone.

• She interceded with the boss to prevent her colleague from being fired.
• They interceded in the dispute to stop it from escalating.

Used when two or more parties discuss terms and come to an agreement, often used in business or international settings.

• They negotiated a deal with the suppliers.
• She has been negotiating her contract for several weeks.

Used to describe something in the middle position or stage, not directly related to resolving conflicts or negotiations. Refers more to placing or stages.

• There are intermediate steps before reaching the final stage of the project.
• He is taking an intermediate course in Spanish.

Used when an independent person or body makes a formal judgement to resolve a dispute, often in legal or formal settings.

• The lawyer arbitrated the contract dispute.
• They agreed to let an impartial third party arbitrate the matter.

Used when someone makes an action or process easier or smoother, often in meetings or group settings.

• The teacher facilitated the discussion between students.
• His role is to facilitate communication within the team.

This is used when a neutral party facilitates discussions to help conflicting parties reach a mutual agreement, often in legal or formal disputes.

• The lawyer was called to mediate the divorce settlement
• The United Nations often mediates international conflicts

This is used when someone steps in to alter the course of events, often to prevent something bad from happening. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation if seen as intrusive.

• The teacher had to intervene to stop the fight between the students
• The government decided to intervene in the economy to prevent a recession

This word is applied when a final decision or solution is reached to end a disagreement or issue.

• They were able to resolve their differences after a lengthy discussion
• The technical team quickly resolved the software bug

This is often used when someone controls and keeps discussions or activities balanced and fair, typically in debates or meetings.

• He was asked to moderate the panel discussion on climate change
• The debate was well-moderated, allowing all participants to speak

This word is generally used in contexts where restoring peace and goodwill after a disagreement or creating a positive relationship is the focus.

• The manager tried to conciliate the workers who were upset about the new policy
• After their argument, they both took steps to conciliate with each other

Used in conflict resolution or negotiation situations where a neutral party helps to resolve disputes.

• The lawyer mediated the discussion between the two companies.
• She tried to mediate the argument between her friends.

Suitably used in contexts where someone or something makes a process easier or more efficient.

• The teacher facilitated the workshop on writing skills.
• The new software is designed to facilitate project management.

Involves stepping in to try to help solve a disagreement or to plead on someone's behalf. Often has a more formal or advocacy tone.

• He interceded on his friend's behalf to sort out the misunderstanding.
• The ambassador interceded to prevent the conflict from escalating.

Commonly used in technical or formal contexts involving the transfer of signals, data, or diseases.

• The radio tower transmits signals across the region.
• The virus can transmit from person to person through close contact.

Typically used when passing on information from one person or place to another.

• She relayed the message to the team.
• The news was relayed via a live broadcast.

Used when linking people, places, or things together, often to establish communication.

• The new bridge connects the two towns.
• Social media helps connect people from all over the world.