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

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

Jerusalem and Moscow have created a deconfliction mechanism to avoid direct military encounters when the IDF strikes Iranian terror assets in Syria, along with those destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon. —Amelie Botbol, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025

In the past, Israel exercised caution in assisting Ukraine, supplying Kyiv with early warning radars and humanitarian aid but eschewing deeper cooperation, fearing retaliation against Russian Jews and the dissolution of the deconfliction channels with Russia in Syria. —Nicole Grajewski, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 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