rapprochement

American  

[rap-rohsh-mahn, ra-prawsh-mahn] / ˌræp roʊʃˈmɑ̃, ra prɔʃˈmɑ̃ /

noun

1. an establishment or reestablishment of harmonious relations.

   a rapprochement reached between warring factions.

   Synonyms:

   accommodation, understanding, reconciliation

---

rapprochement British  

/ raprɔʃmɑ̃ /

noun

1. a resumption of friendly relations, esp between two countries

---

rapprochement Cultural  

1. A closer approach of two groups to each other. Rapprochement, a French term, is often applied to two nations, especially ones that become reconciled after relations between them have worsened.

---

Etymology

Origin of rapprochement

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French, equivalent to rapproche(r) “to bring near, bring together,” from r(e)- + approcher + -ment; see origin at re-, approach, -ment

Explanation

Rapprochement is the reestablishment of a happy relationship or arrangement. A peace treaty between warring nations is a kind of rapprochement. People who usually get along sometimes come into conflict: formerly allied nations go to war, friends feud, and spouses divorce. If a conflict ends and the parties go back to being on good terms, they achieve rapprochement. This term is most often used in international politics — for example, when two countries make peace after a long war, that's rapprochement. The word means "reunion" or "reconciliation" in French, and its root is rapprocher, "to bring near."

Example Sentences

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei noted what he called "a trend towards rapprochement" but said "it does not necessarily mean that we and the United States will reach an agreement on the important issues".

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

The historian argued that Castro feared any rapprochement with Washington would spur political and economic reforms on the island that would jeopardise his absolute power.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

In the rapprochement that followed, the U.S. dispatched hundreds of American troops to train Nigerian forces, including in the complicated tactics of coordinated air-and-infantry operations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

When China was credited with brokering the Saudi-Iran rapprochement in 2023, the two nations had conducted years of back-channel talks and simply required a low-risk broker to underwrite the final agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

But that rapprochement did not last long, and Ferula was quick to realize that she had been used.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Related Words

• conciliation
• détente
• friendship
• harmonization
• harmony
• reconciliation