rapprochement

rap·proche·ment

noun \ˌra-ˌprōsh-ˈmäⁿ, -ˌprȯsh-; ra-ˈprōsh-ˌ\

Definition of RAPPROCHEMENT

: establishment of or state of having cordial relations

Examples of RAPPROCHEMENT

1. Officials hope that these talks will lead to a rapprochement with the rebels.
2. The possibility of rapprochement between the two countries seems unlikely.

Origin of RAPPROCHEMENT

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

Related to RAPPROCHEMENT

Synonyms

communion, fellowship, rapport

Related Words

accord, agreement, concord, harmony; oneness, solidarity, togetherness, unity; affinity, empathy, sympathy, understanding; amity, chumminess, companionship, friendliness, friendship; reciprocity, symbiosis

Near Antonyms

alienation, disaffection, disgruntlement, estrangement; coldness, cold shoulder, distance, iciness; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, hostility, jaundice, rancor, spite

Rhymes with RAPPROCHEMENT

accouchement, aide-de-camp, au courant, battement, bien-pensant, ci-devant, contretemps, debridement, denouement, en passant, fainéant, insouciant, Maupassant, Orléans, Perpignan, revenant, se tenant, soi-disant, vol-au-vent