rapprochement

noun

rap·​proche·​ment ˌra-ˌprōsh-ˈmänt  ˌra-ˌprōsh-ˈmäⁿ 

-ˌprȯsh-;

ra-ˈprōsh-ˌmäⁿ

: establishment of or state of having cordial relations

Synonyms

• friendship
• solidarity
• communion
• rapport
• unity

Examples of rapprochement in a Sentence

Officials hope that these talks will lead to a rapprochement with the rebels.

The possibility of rapprochement between the two countries seems unlikely.

Recent Examples on the Web

The moves reflect just how much the US leader has turned against his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in recent weeks: Trump spoke positively of Putin in his first term, and sought a rapprochement with Russia in the initial months of his second. —semafor.com, 14 July 2025

The episode feinted toward genuine rapprochement before yanking the rug out, leaving the Gang pelted with an industrial-grade indoor blizzard and then happily hucking rocks at passing trains, as was Mac and Charlie's childhood tradition. —Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025

The most likely accelerants seem to be a wholly unexpected Azeri-Armenia rapprochement, hitherto historical enemies, and the US offer to provide an American company to preside over, i.e. defend from Russia, the Zangezur Corridor going through Armenia. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Iran relies on support—or at least neutrality—from Arab states with which it has been engaged in a process of rapprochement. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from rapprocher to bring together, from Middle French, from re- + approcher to approach, from Old French aprochier, from Late Latin appropiare — more at approach

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rapprochement

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• phenomenon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon

Kids Definition

rapprochement

noun

rap·​proche·​ment ˌrap-ˌrōsh-ˈmän 

: establishment of or state of having friendly relations