rapprochement

noun

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

-ˌprȯsh-;

ra-ˈprōsh-ˌmäⁿ

: establishment of or state of having cordial relations

Synonyms of rapprochement

• 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

There has seemed to be a rapprochement between father and son in recent years. — Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Ordinary Iranians, many of whom are desperate for a change in their domestic politics and for a rapprochement with the West, have to wait. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026

The Gulf states may be open to such an approach despite their fury over Iran’s latest attacks; after all, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a rapprochement in 2023 after an earlier bout of Iranian aggression. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

But even then, with the outward appearance of rapprochement, the siblings were struggling with their legacies and each other. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

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