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; 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

The Haftars' development push comes as they seek to showcase an ability to govern even beyond their areas of control, while the United States reportedly tries to promote a rapprochement between the country's rival authorities.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

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

"Shooting down the planes made it impossible for Clinton to enter into any kind of rapprochement afterwards," he said.

From BBC • May 20, 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