modus vivendi
noun
mo·dus vi·ven·di
ˌmō-dəs-vi-ˈven-dē 
-ˌdī
plural modi vivendi
ˈmō-ˌdē-
ˈmō-ˌdī-
1
: a feasible arrangement or practical compromise
especially
: one that bypasses difficulties
2
: a manner of living : a way of life
Examples of modus vivendi in a Sentence
The two nations developed a modus vivendi in order to avoid war.
Recent Examples on the Web
At least for tactical reasons, Xi seems to be searching for a modus vivendi with America.
—
Fareed Zakaria, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
Sudan’s transition to democracy would have always faced an uphill battle given its troubled domestic politics—namely, Bashir’s autocratic legacy and the difficulty of finding a modus vivendi among the remaining political actors.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2023
Many of the enthusiastic exponents of the clash thesis also have clearly not read Huntington's work, which warns against neoconservative enthusiasms and suggests the necessity of a practical modus vivendi in a multipolar world riven with fissures of values.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Sep. 2010
That black chapter was drawn to a close by a modus vivendi that critics say systematized government corruption, culminating in a financial meltdown that has brought Lebanon, once again, to the brink.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 20 Mar. 2021
By the summer of 1968, when the Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago, the Cold War modus vivendi had largely been shredded.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023
Something happened, and the agriculturalists shifted the modus vivendi, and the hunter-gatherers gave way.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2010
The youth’s challenge is to figure out a modus vivendi with the tiger that does not involve Pi becoming a menu item.
—Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Dec. 2022
Despite the desperation, deprivation and decreasing opportunities, some Kabulis have tried to preserve some vestige of their pre-Islamic Emirate existence and forge some kind of modus vivendi with the Taliban.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022
Fareed Zakaria, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
Sudan’s transition to democracy would have always faced an uphill battle given its troubled domestic politics—namely, Bashir’s autocratic legacy and the difficulty of finding a modus vivendi among the remaining political actors.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2023
Many of the enthusiastic exponents of the clash thesis also have clearly not read Huntington's work, which warns against neoconservative enthusiasms and suggests the necessity of a practical modus vivendi in a multipolar world riven with fissures of values.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Sep. 2010
That black chapter was drawn to a close by a modus vivendi that critics say systematized government corruption, culminating in a financial meltdown that has brought Lebanon, once again, to the brink.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 20 Mar. 2021
By the summer of 1968, when the Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago, the Cold War modus vivendi had largely been shredded.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023
Something happened, and the agriculturalists shifted the modus vivendi, and the hunter-gatherers gave way.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2010
The youth’s challenge is to figure out a modus vivendi with the tiger that does not involve Pi becoming a menu item.
—Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Dec. 2022
Despite the desperation, deprivation and decreasing opportunities, some Kabulis have tried to preserve some vestige of their pre-Islamic Emirate existence and forge some kind of modus vivendi with the Taliban.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'modus vivendi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near modus vivendi
Cite this Entry
“Modus vivendi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modus%20vivendi. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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