broker
Relating to or acting as an intermediary to negotiate and arrange agreements, deals, or settlements between parties. In academic and political contexts, it describes a facilitative role where one entity connects distinct groups to enable exchange or resolution.
Examples
3 of 5The broker firm managed the entire merger process between the two tech giants.
The agency acting as a middleman handled the combining of the two large companies.
Officials are hoping for a brokered peace in the coming months after years of conflict.
Authorities hope for a negotiated peace agreement facilitated by an external party.
He took on a broker role within the group to help his friends settle their petty dispute.
He acted as a mediator for the group to help his friends resolve their small argument.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a broker as someone who 'breaks' the tension between two sides so they can finally shake hands on a deal.
Quick Quiz
The United Nations celebrated the _____ peace treaty as a significant triumph for international diplomacy.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brokered
Examples
The broker firm managed the entire merger process between the two tech giants.
everydayThe agency acting as a middleman handled the combining of the two large companies.
Officials are hoping for a brokered peace in the coming months after years of conflict.
formalAuthorities hope for a negotiated peace agreement facilitated by an external party.
He took on a broker role within the group to help his friends settle their petty dispute.
informalHe acted as a mediator for the group to help his friends resolve their small argument.
The academic paper discusses the influence of broker nations in regional trade networks.
academicThe scholarly article examines how intermediary countries affect local business connections.
We must verify the broker credentials before signing the service contract.
businessWe need to check the intermediary's professional qualifications before signing the agreement.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
to broker a peace
to negotiate an end to a war or conflict
honest broker
an impartial mediator who is trusted by all sides
stock broker
a professional who handles the buying and selling of shares
Often Confused With
Broker refers to the individual or the act of mediating, while brokerage refers to the firm or the commission fee.
Broker is an intermediary negotiator; a breaker is someone who smashes things or a heavy sea wave.
Usage Notes
While 'broker' is most commonly a noun or verb, it is used as an adjective (attributive noun) to describe roles, firms, or agreements that involve mediation. In high-level academic or political English, it specifically implies a strategic, often neutral, facilitation of complex interests.
Common Mistakes
Learners often limit 'broker' to financial contexts like the stock market, but at the C1 level, it should be used to describe political mediation and the arrangement of diplomatic treaties.
Memory Tip
Think of a broker as someone who 'breaks' the tension between two sides so they can finally shake hands on a deal.
Word Origin
Derived from Old French 'brokier', which originally meant to 'broach' or tap a wine cask to sell wine, eventually evolving to mean any retail vendor or intermediary.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western diplomacy, being an 'honest broker' is a highly prestigious role, as it signifies a nation's or individual's ultimate neutrality and global trust.
Quick Quiz
The United Nations celebrated the _____ peace treaty as a significant triumph for international diplomacy.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brokered
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