deconfliction

noun

de·​con·​flic·​tion ˌdē-kən-ˈflik-shən 

-kän-

military

: coordination of flights, maneuvers, etc. between groups especially in areas where overlapping operations are occurring in order to reduce the risk of accidents or incidents

… American officials insist that there is no coordination other than deconfliction, or making sure that their aircraft do not threaten each other.

—Anne Barnard and Eric Schmitt

Deconfliction is how friendly forces keep out of each other's way.

—John R. Bolton

Examples of deconfliction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ankara may ultimately try to convince the Israelis during deconfliction talks that its S-400s will pose no more threat to them than Russia’s did for almost a decade. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Israel should use these discussions not only to establish a deconfliction mechanism but to deescalate tensions altogether. —Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2025

While Jerusalem values its ability to operate freely in Syrian airspace—thanks in part to the deconfliction mechanism with Russian commanders—that arrangement cannot come at the cost of allowing Hezbollah to build an arsenal capable of overwhelming Israel's defenses. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

And while Putin did agree to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, prisoner exchanges, and a willingness to a deconfliction mechanism in the Black Sea, those agreements were superficial at best. —Douglas Schoen, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

deconflict + -ion (after affliction)

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deconfliction

• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction
• crucifixion
• dereliction
• interdiction
• jurisdiction
• malediction
• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction