entente

noun

en·​tente än-ˈtänt How to pronounce entente (audio)
1
: an international understanding providing for a common course of action
2
[French entente cordiale] : a coalition of parties to an entente

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web As China proceeds with an aggressive and ambitious military buildup, as North Korea’s nuclear arsenal relentlessly grows and as the Sino-Russian entente deepens, the U.S. can’t afford to treat East Asia as a secondary theater. Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2022 Wanamaker, as the precisely coiffed Jean, toils to keep the entente between father and son, meanwhile cloaking her financial success to avoid emasculating her husband. Vulture, 9 Feb. 2023 The deepening entente between Iran and Russia would make the president’s options even less palatable because Moscow could choose to help Tehran respond to an Israeli or American strike. William A. Galston, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 Woodrow Wilson championed self-determination, but his victorious entente ignored Ukraine, recognizing Polish claims instead. Timothy Snyder, The New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2022 For most Arab governments, Israel’s occupation of territories claimed by the Palestinians precluded any diplomatic entente and even in those capitals, Amman and Cairo, leaders sought to keep their relationships with Israel below the radar. New York Times, 22 Mar. 2022 Budding Sino-Russian entente aside, a full-out attempt to dilute Western sanctions in Russia’s favor is unlikely because of the risk to China’s own technology and financial champions. Nathaniel Taplin, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2022 The rising entente between Beijing and Moscow underscores the growing threats to the U.S.-led international order. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 15 Dec. 2021 Contrast the elegance of the entente between Washington and Paris with Wednesday's boorish swipe by UK PM Boris Johnson, who lapsed into Franglais to mock French feelings. Stephen Collinson And Melissa Bell, CNN, 23 Sep. 2021 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, intent, understanding — more at intent entry 1

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of entente was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near entente

Cite this Entry

“Entente.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entente. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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