rapprochement
Americannoun
noun
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."
Vocabulary lists containing rapprochement
English Words Derived from French, List 8
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This Week In Words: January 18–24, 2020
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Vocabulary from the Twelfth Republican Debate, March 10, 2016
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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.
Some traders said the UK was being seen in a different light given relative political stability, solid growth and the rapprochement with the European Union.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Notwithstanding this turbulence, a grand India-China rapprochement isn’t in the cards.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
A rapprochement between Prince Harry and Prince William seems even less likely.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
The rapprochement usually starts out small, maybe with a text message here or there or small talk at a family event.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
Then, in the midst of this delicate rapprochement, Outside magazine confirmed it was sending me to Everest.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
