facesaving

• face-saving

From face +‎ saving.

facesaving (comparative more facesaving, superlative most facesaving)

1. That prevents loss of face and maintains one's dignity or prestige.
   • 2022 March 29, Bret Stephens, “What if Putin Didn’t Miscalculate?”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     And it tends toward the conclusion that the best outcome is one in which Putin finds some face-saving exit: additional Ukrainian territory, a Ukrainian pledge of neutrality, a lifting of some of the sanctions.

• saving face