the negotiating table
noun
—used to say that people are having formal discussions in order to reach an agreement
The two sides in this dispute have returned to the negotiating table.
They came to an agreement at the negotiating table.
Examples of the negotiating table in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bessent and Greer were cautiously optimistic that Beijing would back down and return to the negotiating table.
—
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
But by Saturday, things changed at the negotiating table that put the union at ease enough to approve a tentative agreement.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday, Schumer urged Republicans to come to the negotiating table.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Top Senate and House Democratic appropriators released statements against the CR, arguing that the process has been partisan and Republicans have failed to come to the negotiating table.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the negotiating table
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
But by Saturday, things changed at the negotiating table that put the union at ease enough to approve a tentative agreement.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday, Schumer urged Republicans to come to the negotiating table.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Top Senate and House Democratic appropriators released statements against the CR, arguing that the process has been partisan and Republicans have failed to come to the negotiating table.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the negotiating table
Cite this Entry
“The negotiating table.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20negotiating%20table. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share