mediate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mediate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as to refer to the act of resolving a dispute or being a mediator in a negotiation. For example, "The lawyer was able to mediate a settlement between the two parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Khaled al-Attiya, who has been trying to mediate an end to the political turmoil in Egypt, returned on Wednesday after several days in Cairo and complained he had not been able to meet all the parties he had been promised to see.

The Guardian

The problem was solved when religious leaders were called in to mediate," says Dr Koumare Toumani, director general of the Kayes hospital.

The Guardian

"This is what I say to my colleagues in the west," said Blair, visiting Egypt as a representative of the UN, the US, the EU and Russia in their attempts to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The Guardian

Updated at 2.04pm BST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.19am BST11 19 Egypt The Egyptian presidency said today that international efforts to mediate an end to the country's political crisis had failed and warned that the Muslim Brotherhood would be held responsible for what it described as the possible consequences.

The Guardian

The International Committee of the Red Cross ICRCC) said it would mediate to try to secure the hostages' release.

The Guardian

And yet, as far as his place in British politics goes, Nick Clegg increasingly seems to see himself as analogous to Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls, who declared himself to mediate between the fire and ice of his two bandmates – "kind of like lukewarm water".

The Guardian

Above all, the bishops are right to assert that autonomous self-governing institutions that mediate between the state and the market are a vital part of our national renewal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its head, Hilde Johnson, a Norwegian former government minister, is said to have let herself get too close to Mr Kiir, who in turn has been accused by Western diplomats of precipitating the crisis by falsely charging Mr Machar with instigating a coup.Hopes that regional leaders might mediate a ceasefire seem so far to be forlorn.

The Economist

India has offered to mediate if asked by both sides.

The Economist

A federal board intervenes; if it cannot produce a deal, the White House can appoint an emergency board to mediate, while the workers are forced to stay on the job for 60 days.

The Economist

But the two countries' focus on trade has also allowed symbolic gestures of greater mutual trust, such as the reopening in 2006 of an overland trading route through Sikkim that had been closed since the 1962 Sino-Indian war.India knows that its ambition to be a global power will depend partly on its ability to mediate and resolve the rising number of crises in neighbouring countries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mediate", ensure the context clearly identifies the parties involved and the subject of the dispute. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid implying that the mediator has absolute control over the outcome. "Mediate" suggests facilitation, not dictation; the parties involved still retain agency.

Linguistic Context

Mediate functions primarily as a verb, denoting the action of intervening between parties to reconcile differences or bring about a settlement. Ludwig shows its active usage in resolving disputes. It can also act as an adjective, signifying something acting through a mediating agency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mediate" functions as a verb indicating intervention to resolve disputes or facilitate agreements, and can also serve as an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability, particularly in neutral to professional contexts like news reporting and formal communications. The term is frequently used in "News & Media", and "Formal & Business" sources, emphasizing its importance in discussions related to conflict resolution and diplomatic efforts. When using "mediate", clarity in identifying the involved parties and the dispute's subject enhances the writing's impact. Remember that mediators facilitate, not dictate, outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arbitrate

Focuses more on formal judgment or decision-making within a conflict.

negotiate

Emphasizes discussion and bargaining to reach a compromise.

facilitate

Highlights the act of making a process or task easier, often in communication.

intervene

Stresses the action of getting involved in a situation to alter its course.

conciliate

Suggests actions aimed at overcoming distrust and animosity.

broker a deal

Implies arranging an agreement that benefits all involved parties.

act as an intermediary

Describes the role of someone who works between different parties.

serve as a go-between

Describes the role of someone who transmits communication between entities that are unable to communicate with each other directly.

find common ground

Highlights the need to find overlapping agreement to resolve the dispute.

restore harmony

Highlights the act of making a relationship peaceful again after a conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "mediate" in a sentence?

You can use "mediate" to describe resolving disputes, like: "The diplomat tried to "mediate" a ceasefire between the warring factions." or describing someone being a mediator, like: "The religious leaders were called in to "mediate" the conflict."

What are some synonyms for "mediate"?

Alternatives to "mediate" include "arbitrate", "negotiate", or "facilitate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "mediate" in formal writing?

"Mediate" is appropriate in formal writing when describing efforts to resolve conflicts, broker agreements, or facilitate communication between parties. It's commonly used in legal, political, and business contexts.

What is the difference between "mediate" and "arbitrate"?

"Mediate" involves facilitating discussion and helping parties reach a voluntary agreement. "Arbitrate", on the other hand, involves making a binding decision, similar to a judge.