modus vivendi
noun
mo·dus vi·ven·di
ˌmō-dəs-vi-ˈven-dē 
-ˌdī
plural modi vivendi
ˈmō-ˌdē-
ˈmō-ˌdī-
1
: a feasible arrangement or practical compromise
especially
: one that bypasses difficulties
2
: a manner of living : a way of life
Examples of modus vivendi in a Sentence
The two nations developed a modus vivendi in order to avoid war.
Recent Examples on the Web
On the contrary, to get to a modus vivendi the United States will need to improve deterrence, which will involve more than just issuing threats and bolstering military capabilities.
—
Jessica Chen Weiss, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2024
Any coexistence would be uneasy, built not primarily on trust but on credible threats and assurances—deterrence paired with steps toward a modus vivendi that both countries and peoples could live with and prosper within.
—Jessica Chen Weiss, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2024
Director Stephen Soucy revives Merchant-Ivory’s reputation in defiance of the contemporary cultural fashion that rejects literature and the Western empire — Henry James and E. M. Forster being the source of Merchant and Ivory’s modus vivendi.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Sep. 2024
For its part, China has taken an uncompromising approach, unwilling to find a modus vivendi with successive presidents of Taiwan.
—Bonnie S. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for modus vivendi 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Chen Weiss, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2024
Any coexistence would be uneasy, built not primarily on trust but on credible threats and assurances—deterrence paired with steps toward a modus vivendi that both countries and peoples could live with and prosper within.
—Jessica Chen Weiss, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2024
Director Stephen Soucy revives Merchant-Ivory’s reputation in defiance of the contemporary cultural fashion that rejects literature and the Western empire — Henry James and E. M. Forster being the source of Merchant and Ivory’s modus vivendi.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Sep. 2024
For its part, China has taken an uncompromising approach, unwilling to find a modus vivendi with successive presidents of Taiwan.
—Bonnie S. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for modus vivendi
Dictionary Entries Near modus vivendi
Cite this Entry
“Modus vivendi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modus%20vivendi. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share