nonconfrontational
- adjective
- /ˌnɒnˌkɒnfrənˈteɪʃənl/
- By remaining nonconfrontational, he was able to resolve the disagreement without escalating tensions.
Examples
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Teacher X, seeing a teachable moment, stopped rehearsal and began a nonconfrontational dialogue with the students about racial stereotypes.
Academic text (2003) -
You'll find that I'm happy to discuss what I know with such parents in a nonconfrontational way.
Blog text (13) -
This camera is our best evidence that what we're doing is peaceful and nonconfrontational.
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In real life, I tend to be extremely diplomatic and nonconfrontational.
Academic text (1997) -
Business and the state both prefer these nonconfrontational associations as an alternative to unions.
Academic text (1999) -
Approaching a defensive student can be challenging, but being positive and nonconfrontational can create an ally.
Academic text (2005) -
Again, all interactions between the teacher and student were nonconfrontational, limited, unemotional, and matter-of-fact.
Academic text (2012) -
This nonconfrontational approach to corporate decision-making has become the model for the so-called "Asian way" of diplomacy.
Academic text (1998) -
Its founder and first chairperson, City Councillor Freida Faour, stressed taking a nonconfrontational approach.
Academic text (2005) -
Second, advisee perceptions of their advisor's trustworthiness were positively related to the advisee's perceptions of advisor use of nonconfrontational conflict management strategies.
Academic text (2008)
Synonyms
Showing a wish to calm people and reduce tension
Calm and gentle, not likely to attack or fight
Not likely to fight or act forcefully towards others
Not ready to disagree or fight with others
Not likely to argue or cause disagreement
Calm and unlikely to cause arguments
Calm and not wanting to fight or argue
Does not attack or harm and serves only to defend
Antonyms
How Confrontational
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
nonconfrontational = confrontational (transparent) = non + confront + ation + al
The adjective 'confrontational' is a regular derivation from 'confront' and the prefix 'non-' simply negates that adjective, so learners can compose the meaning.
Etymology
Nonconfrontational breaks into non- meaning 'not' and confront meaning 'to face' (the same root as the common word front, the 'face' side of something). So a nonconfrontational person chooses 'not' to face fights or direct arguments and tries to avoid conflict.