charm offensive

British

noun

a concentrated attempt to gain favour or respectability by conspicuously cooperative or obliging behaviour

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Tartan Army has arrived in Miami for the team’s match against Brazil, and its charm offensive appears to be going strong.

From Salon • Jun. 24, 2026

He deployed a charm offensive throughout his stay here, confident in the impact of his personal touch on world leaders, often seen patting Xi on the back and repeatedly calling him his friend.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Its charm offensive includes permitting visa-free arrivals for some tourists, and touting the popularity of Chinese brands abroad and China’s futuristic cities in state media.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

But the royal charm offensive by King Charles appeared to have paid off.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

It gave him more time to plan his charm offensive.

From "Eleven" by Tom Rogers

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023