1
as in negotiating
to talk over or dispute the terms of a purchase
they bargained with the car salesman for half an hour before settling on a price
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in agreeing
to come to an arrangement as to a course of action
I really hadn't bargained on buying a whole case of Girl Scout cookies, just a couple of boxes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arranging
to bring about through discussion and compromise
bargained the price of the painting down to a figure that the artist could still live with
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bargaining
William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
As Philadelphia systematically destroyed Kansas City on Sunday, Eagles fans were no doubt too … ebullient to pay much attention to the ads, while Chiefs supporters no doubt spent the commercial breaks bargaining with God or dousing themselves with Arthur Bryant‘s Barbecue Sauce for luck.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2025
The union’s local chapter at Palmetto General, which represents 650 nurses at the hospital, will be bargaining for new contracts this year with Healthcare Systems of America, or HSA.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
This week’s East and Gulf Coast dockworker strike was the first in decades in those regions, but the union isn’t new to bargaining over technology.
—Jenn Brice, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
For some bargaining units, like the California Association of State Attorneys and Administrative Law Judges, the change came less than a month after the union started bargaining a new contract with the state.
—William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
As Philadelphia systematically destroyed Kansas City on Sunday, Eagles fans were no doubt too … ebullient to pay much attention to the ads, while Chiefs supporters no doubt spent the commercial breaks bargaining with God or dousing themselves with Arthur Bryant‘s Barbecue Sauce for luck.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2025
The union’s local chapter at Palmetto General, which represents 650 nurses at the hospital, will be bargaining for new contracts this year with Healthcare Systems of America, or HSA.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
This week’s East and Gulf Coast dockworker strike was the first in decades in those regions, but the union isn’t new to bargaining over technology.
—Jenn Brice, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bargaining
Verb
-
The two players have been negotiating deals with Cincinnati to keep them with the organization for years to come.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The Bears didn’t wait long to make a big splash in the free-agency waters, zeroing in on the top available center and reaching a deal in the first half-hour of the NFL’s negotiating window.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Part of Washington’s post-Allen plan came into shape Monday by agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The vest was later sold in a charity auction, with the winning bid reaching $17,300 and Day agreeing to match that amount with a donation of his own.—
Brooks Peck,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the book, Stewart shares advice on topics such as growing produce and arranging flowers.—
Claire Murashima,
NPR,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Before the repeal, Soto was arranging for free Spanish-language weddings in Little Havana and building up support for Dade County to retire its English-only policy.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The pushback comes as the firefighters union kicks off negotiations with the city on a new labor contract — and days after association members overwhelmingly approved a vote of no-confidence in Baker.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
How much can the fans’ opinion sway CBA negotiations behind closed doors?—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Fourth Judicial District Judge Steven Hippler, who presides in Ada County, could choose not to abide by the bargain, but his only other option would be to offer a lesser sentence.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
23 July 2025
-
Which is a spot of good news for the bargain hunter.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Banks routinely share transaction information with third parties, build detailed consumer profiles, and sell insights about your spending habits.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
-
As Crow-Armstrong stood at his locker inside American Family Field’s visiting clubhouse following Wednesday’s 10-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, he was reminded that the Cubs executed that franchise-changing transaction exactly four years earlier (July 30, 2021).—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Joss’ self-destructive instincts, Wahl-Trejo says, were at their worst in his dealings with neighbors.—
Ethan Bauer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Aug. 2025
-
The Kings are effectively done with their significant contractual dealings this summer.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bargaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bargaining. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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