variants
or detente
1
: the relaxation of strained relations or tensions (as between nations)
diplomats brokering a détente
also
: a policy promoting this
2
: a period of détente
the beginning of a détente
Examples of détente in a Sentence
as the countries move toward détente
the start of a détente
Recent Examples on the Web
Stocks were powered higher by enthusiasm about tech and AI, a detente in severe trade tensions, optimism about Fed rate cuts and robust corporate earnings growth.
—
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The potential face-to-face could represent a detente for the Republican president and Democratic political star, who have cast each other as political foils.
—Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025
That detente, in conjunction with an abiding shortage of new wide-release film titles from Hollywood studios, set the stage for both August’s KPDH screenings in 1,700 North American theaters and the Halloween singalong redux.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Global markets surged on news that the US and China agreed to a trade detente, as well as forecasts of further monetary easing.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
But that gesture toward detente seemed unlikely to stem the very real anger expressed by Tan and his colleagues.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Skeptically accepting a meeting with Edward in the spirit of detente, Ellen feels electricity sparking between them, and vice versa.
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Seemingly, a detente was broached on Monday.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Trade 'detente' continued The two sides in May announced a truce in their trade dispute after talks in Geneva, Switzerland, agreeing to a 90-day period to allow further talks.
—Trevor Hunnicutt, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The potential face-to-face could represent a detente for the Republican president and Democratic political star, who have cast each other as political foils.
—Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025
That detente, in conjunction with an abiding shortage of new wide-release film titles from Hollywood studios, set the stage for both August’s KPDH screenings in 1,700 North American theaters and the Halloween singalong redux.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Global markets surged on news that the US and China agreed to a trade detente, as well as forecasts of further monetary easing.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
But that gesture toward detente seemed unlikely to stem the very real anger expressed by Tan and his colleagues.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Skeptically accepting a meeting with Edward in the spirit of detente, Ellen feels electricity sparking between them, and vice versa.
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Seemingly, a detente was broached on Monday.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Trade 'detente' continued The two sides in May announced a truce in their trade dispute after talks in Geneva, Switzerland, agreeing to a 90-day period to allow further talks.
—Trevor Hunnicutt, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Détente.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/d%C3%A9tente. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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