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

How high will rates go and will the Fed go too far? How far will the trade fight go, or will the U.S. and China reach some sort of detente? — Justin Lahart, WSJ, "Why the Election Shouldn’t Distract Investors," 5 Nov. 2018 With that in mind, The Verge staff has assembled a list of streaming films and TV shows that have created enthusiasm in our personal family viewing — or at least a tolerable detente. — Verge Staff, The Verge, "The Verge’s guide to tolerable family streaming entertainment," 21 Nov. 2018 The leaders praise one another for taking the initiative to open a new era of inter-Korean detente. — Fox News, "Striking images captured on 1st day of Korean summit talks," 18 Sep. 2018 Photo: yonhap/EPA/Shutterstock North Korean statements on Friday suggested that Seoul’s failure to repatriate the waitresses and halt criticism against the North’s nuclear weapons program would undermine the inter-Korean detente. — Andrew Jeong, WSJ, "North Korea Signals Reluctance on Reunions, Nuclear Program," 20 July 2018 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

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.