détente

noun

dé·​tente dā-ˈtänt How to pronounce détente (audio)
variants or detente
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Newsom and Trump have long been at odds, although the two had a brief detente in their relationship in the past few months. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 9 June 2025 So far, the feud between Trump and Musk is probably best described as a moving target, with plenty of opportunities for escalation or detente. Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025 Despite the war of words that took place Thursday, some Trump allies suggested a detente or some kind of reunion was not out of the cards. Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 6 June 2025 The detente, though welcome by Wall Street, consumers and businesses, represents a remarkable shift for a Trump administration that only days ago had said the trade standoff with China was necessary to restore America’s lost manufacturing prowess. David Goldman, CNN Money, 12 May 2025 Some Republicans still hope for a detente between the two men, although that seemed unlikely on Friday as Trump brushed off the idea of an impending makeup call. Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025 In the weeks since the fragile detente, Washington has accused Beijing of slow-walking approvals for rare earth exports and reneging on its promise made in Geneva, with Trump expressing increasing urgency to speak to his Chinese counterpart to iron things out. Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 7 June 2025 Mixed Trump Trump unquestionably gains from the tariff detente with China and from the stock market recovery. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 14 May 2025 Goldman Sachs said Wednesday after Trump’s partial detente that recession chances in the United States were still a coin flip. David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of détente was in 1908

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Détente.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/d%C3%A9tente. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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