common ground
Shared starting point
Common ground is shared beliefs, interests, or understanding between people who otherwise differ.
The phrase appears most often in discussions of negotiation or conflict resolution: Despite their differences, they found common ground on education policy.
To seek common ground is to look for areas of agreement as a starting point for cooperation.
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
give-and-take · trade-off · reconciliation · accommodation · terms · arbitration · diplomacy · bridge-building
Harmony between parties
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- mutual understandingShared agreement between parties
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
rapport · alignment · concurrence · shared values · shared belief · meeting of minds · convergence · like-mindedness
Exchange of ideas
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
engagement · talks · deliberation · consultation · debate · parley · diplomacy · outreach
compromise
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
bargaining · give-and-take · trade-off · reconciliation · accommodation · terms · arbitration · diplomacy · bridge-building · peace talks
accord
Harmony between parties
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- mutual understandingShared agreement between parties
- consensusGeneral group agreement
harmony · rapport · alignment · concurrence · shared values · shared belief · meeting of minds · convergence · like-mindedness · compatibility
discussion
Exchange of ideas
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
discourse · engagement · talks · deliberation · consultation · debate · parley · diplomacy · outreach · listening
- in agreementaccord, harmony, unity, consensus, understanding
- bipartisanshipcrossing the aisle, compromise, consensus, bipartisan bill, cosponsorship
- centrismmoderates, moderation, compromise, bipartisanship, independents
- connectionslink, links, connect, connection, tie
- negotiationbargaining, bargain, negotiate, mediation, compromise
- agreementagree, accord, yes, yeah, yep
common groundirreconcilable differences
Conflicts that cannot harmonize
disagreement · discord · conflict · impasse · deadlock
common groundgulf
Partially enclosed sea
chasm · divide · polarization · division · divisiveness
common groundbone of contention
Disputed matter between parties
point of contention · sticking point · disputed territory · battleground · fault line
common, ground, commonly, uncommon, commonplace, commons, uncommonly, commoner, commonality