détente

noun

dé·tente | \dā-ˈtänt

variants: or detente

Definition of détente

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

And changing the paradigm in Washington and in foreign policy is very similar, and that Reagan kind of upset the apple cart as far as detente and foreign policy towards the Soviet Union. — Fox News, "Pundits pan Trump dumping summit," 28 May 2018 Its hard-line findings helped lay the foundation for Washington’s eventual abandonment of the policy of cooperation with the Soviets, known as detente, and the massive arms buildup of the Reagan years. — Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, "Richard Pipes, authority on Russia and Soviet Union, and a Reagan-era hardliner, dies at 94," 18 May 2018 North Korea's outreach to Seoul and Washington has still produced a temporary detente on the Korean Peninsula, with U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un holding a landmark summit on June 12. — Hyung-jin Kim, chicagotribune.com, "Koreas discuss removing North's artillery from tense border," 25 June 2018 North Korea's outreach to Seoul and Washington has still produced a temporary detente on the Korean Peninsula, with U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un holding a landmark summit on June 12. — Fox News, "Koreas discuss removing North's artillery from tense border," 25 June 2018 The fate of the waitresses has become a source of tension between North and South Korea, threatening to strain the cross-border detente that has blossomed over recent months. — Andrew Jeong, WSJ, "U.N. Official Seeks Inquiry Into Defection of North Korean Waitresses," 10 July 2018 The current detente began in January when Kim expressed his willingness to send a delegation to the South Korean Winter Olympics the following month. — Washington Post, "2 Koreas agree to march together at Asian Games," 18 June 2018 The detente achieved through the Olympic connections between North and South Korea fits the longtime goals of the South’s president, Moon Jae-in, who has advocated engagement with Kim Jong Un’s Pyongyang regime. — Ted Anthony, The Seattle Times, "The day after: Pyeongchang breathes, bids Olympics farewell," 25 Feb. 2018 Seoul and Washington describe the move as a temporary measure to prolong ongoing detente on the Korean Peninsula and increase the chances of successful nuclear diplomacy with North Korea. — Fox News, "Halting S.Korea-US drills risks weakening N.Korea deterrence," 19 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'détente.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.