nonconfrontation
1
7.3
- noun
- /ˌnɒnˌkɒnfrənˈteɪʃən/
- His approach to disagreements often revolved around nonconfrontation, steering clear of direct conflicts.
Examples
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The policy of nonconfrontation helped maintain peace in the organization, despite underlying tensions.
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In many situations, she preferred nonconfrontation to avoid escalating the argument.
-
Subservience to British authoritarian control has been easily transferred to an acquiescence toward China, and, although it is a gross generalization, it is nevertheless the case that the higher one's income is in Hong Kong, the more likely one is to adopt the view that nonconfrontation and complete acceptance of China's rule is both required and desirable.
Academic text (1997) -
Chinese conflict-handling behavior is influenced by Chinese values, which emphasize conflict avoidance, emotional composure, and nonconfrontation (Kirkbride, Tang, & Westwood, 1991).
Academic text (2003)
Synonyms
2
6.7
A policy of not starting wars or attacks between countries
1
7.5
Not getting involved in other countries' or people's affairs
1
7.9
Not using violence, even to protect yourself
Antonyms
How Confrontational
14
5.2
230
4.5
156
4.0
1
7.3
40
3.7
6
6.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
nonconfrontation = confrontation (transparent) = non + confront + ation
Formed by adding the productive negation prefix 'non-' to the noun 'confrontation', so the meaning is directly the absence or avoidance of confrontation.
Etymology
Nonconfrontation comes from non- 'not' and confront 'to face', where the front part is like the word 'front' or 'face'. So nonconfrontation means choosing 'not to face' someone directly and avoiding direct disagreement or conflict.