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

Examples of entente in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Allegedly, Gilles Jacob, the Cannes president at the time, had to jump in to soothe both parties toward an entente. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2024 French Foreign Minister Francois Guizot, a conservative liberal who served from 1840 to 1848, spoke enthusiastically about mutual freedom as a foundation for an entente with the United Kingdom. Michael Doyle, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024 That all sounds nice, but their group was too small—only about twenty-five thousand members at its peak—to effect such an entente. John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024 But practical partnerships can still be powerful, and the Moscow-Pyongyang entente is no exception. Sue Mi Terry, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for entente 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'entente.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 22 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on entente

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!