happy medium
Satisfactory middle ground
A happy medium is a satisfactory compromise between extremes—a middle ground that avoids the drawbacks of either side.
We tried to strike a happy medium between too strict and too lenient.
The phrase suggests balance that leaves everyone reasonably content, even if no one gets exactly what they wanted.
Avoidance of excess
- equilibriumState of balance
- midpointExact center between two
- centerMiddle of anything
- meanAverage, or spiteful
median · equipoise · temperance · neutrality · centrism · even-keel · steadiness · parity
Intermediate position between extremes
- give-and-takeMutual concession between parties
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
concession · agreement · deal · bargain · accord · adjustment · resolution · reconciliation
Harmony between parties
- compatibilityMutual suitability between things
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
rapport · peace · unity · blend · synchronization · coexistence · reconciliation · congruity
Peaceful satisfaction with circumstances
- acceptabilityState of being sufficient
- adequacyBeing barely acceptable
- sufficiencyState of being enough
- workabilityEase of handling material
reasonableness · tolerability · comfort · ease · practicality · feasibility · livability
moderation
Avoidance of excess
- equilibriumState of balance
- midpointExact center between two
- centerMiddle of anything
mean · median · equipoise · temperance · neutrality · centrism · even-keel · steadiness · parity · proportionality
middle-ground
Intermediate position between extremes
- give-and-takeMutual concession between parties
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
settlement · concession · agreement · deal · bargain · accord · adjustment · resolution · reconciliation · mediation
accord
Harmony between parties
- compatibilityMutual suitability between things
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- understandingMental comprehension of something
cooperation · rapport · peace · unity · blend · synchronization · coexistence · reconciliation · congruity
contentment
Peaceful satisfaction with circumstances
- acceptabilityState of being sufficient
- adequacyBeing barely acceptable
- sufficiencyState of being enough
workability · reasonableness · tolerability · comfort · ease · practicality · feasibility · livability
- compromisecompromise, middle ground, meet halfway, give and take, give-and-take
- moderationmoderation, in moderation, restraint, self-control, moderately
happy mediumextreme
Furthest from moderate
excess · immoderation · all or nothing · deficiency · overkill
happy mediumabsolutism
Unrestricted governmental authority
zero-sum · winner-take-all · my way or the highway · intransigence · total victory
happy mediumimpasse
Situation without resolution
deadlock · stalemate · no-win situation · lose-lose · worst of both worlds
happy, unhappy, happiness, happily, medium, happier, happiest, happy-go-lucky