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

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rapprochement British  

/ raprɔʃmɑ̃ /

noun

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

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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.

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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; 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

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

Once a fierce campaigner for Taiwan's independence, Cheng Li-wun, 56, is now a strident supporter of closer ties with China and believes a rapprochement with Beijing is key to cross-strait peace.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

This marks a significant rapprochement between the world's two largest nuclear powers and comes after President Donald Trump repeatedly voiced his desire to normalise relations between both countries.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

Beijing’s decision is another sign of its recent rapprochement with Washington on some issues ahead of a visit by President Trump to China scheduled for April.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 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