Meaning 1
A negotiated agreement that resolves or governs a shared matter.
Reach for it when naming a formal settlement between groups or institutions
The river accord sets clear limits while protecting both farming communities.
Meaning 2
A state of harmony between people, ideas, or actions.
Reach for it when describing alignment that exists without a written settlement
Her actions remained in accord with the cooperative's stated values.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm | ||
| professional | ||
| formal |
| |
| literary |
everyday
agreement
Fits when mutual acceptance is the plain central fact
Careful Agreement may be informal and lacks accord's diplomatic tone.
professional
settlement
Fits when a dispute ends through negotiated terms
Careful Settlement emphasizes ending a conflict, not an ongoing cooperative framework.
formal
pact
Fits when the parties make a compact promise to one another
Careful Pact can sound secretive or strategic rather than broadly cooperative.
formal
treaty
Fits when sovereign states formalize obligations
Careful Treaty is too specific for organizations or neighbors.
warm
Fits when parts or people coexist pleasingly without friction
Careful Harmony can hide real disagreement that a formal accord manages.
professional
alignment
Fits when goals or actions point in the same direction
Careful Alignment does not imply warmth or mutual consent.
literary
Fits when peaceful agreement suits elevated historical prose
Careful Concord sounds archaic in routine workplace writing.
reach an accord
The two councils reached an accord after weeks of public meetings.
peace accord
The peace accord reopened roads between the neighboring regions.
in accord with
The revised process is in accord with the published ethics policy.
mutual accord
The partners ended the arrangement by mutual accord.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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