to treat
2
9.9
- verb
- /triːt/
- Archaic
- "We have elected," he said dourly, "to ask Clinton's permission to treat with Washington.
Examples
-
The imbecility of our government even forbids them to treat with us.
Academic text (1993) -
They'll have to treat with me instead of Mr. Appleton.
Fiction book (1998) -
I will not treat with any man... while an armed host lies before my door.
-
In doing this, the Nimiipuu served notice with their behavior that they wanted to be treated as equals in the treaty negotiations.
Academic text (2012) -
The two countries decided to treat to establish a lasting peace agreement.
-
After much discussion, the leaders finally came together to treat and resolve their differences.
-
It was imperative for the diplomats to treat in order to secure trade negotiations for the future.
Synonyms
802
3.7
Try to reach an agreement by talking, often about business terms
159
3.7
To settle a disagreement by each side giving up something
83
3.5
Make an agreement after talking, often in business or politics
42
3.0
Decide together after talking about the terms
35
4.1
To reach an agreement with someone to end a dispute
25
3.3
To argue about the price to try to pay less
1
3.1
Make people or groups agree after an argument
1
5.7
Talk about things fully to reach an agreement when people disagree
To talk seriously with someone to reach an agreement
Idioms
- Informal
6
3.9
Give someone very special care and attention like a king or queen
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
- Baby Talk
107
2.5
An activity where children go from house to house asking for sweets on Halloween
How Formal
- Formal
12
3.9
- Archaic
2
9.9
- Formal
802
3.7
∞
1.6
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Etymology
Treat comes from an old word meaning 'to handle' or 'deal with', sharing the root tract with words like tractor. In older use, to treat with another power meant to 'deal with' them in formal talks to reach an agreement.