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Definition of olive branch
1 : a branch of the olive tree especially when used as a symbol of peace
2 : an offer or gesture of conciliation or goodwill
Examples of olive branch in a Sentence
The winner extended an olive branch to his opponent by calling him a great player.
Recent Examples on the Web The clerics threw olive branches to onlookers perched on their balconies in Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter in the Old City.
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Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, "Palm Sunday ceremonies in Vatican City, Jerusalem limited over coronavirus fears as Easter restrictions loom," 5 Apr. 2020 But the proposal was never meant as an olive branch to Maduro.
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Anthony Faiolaand Carol Morello, BostonGlobe.com, "US proposes transitional government for Venezuela, without Maduro or Guaidó," 31 Mar. 2020 Their feud came to an end when Perry sent Swift an actual olive branch in 2018.
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Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, "Katy Perry says she isn't 'very close' with former rival Taylor Swift but 'we text a lot'," 2 Mar. 2020 Biden extending olive branch to Sanders’ supporters Joe Biden is continuing his move to the left in an attempt to reach out to the party’s most progressive voters, many of whom are still supporting Bernie Sanders.
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Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, "Democratic debate stage looks different tonight because of coronavirus pandemic - updates," 15 Mar. 2020 The Vermont senator both extended an olive branch to fans of Barack Obama and alienated other Democrats.
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Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, "Bernie Sanders’ challenge: Win friends and influence Democrats," 4 Mar. 2020 In doing so, Clinton banked on his Republican successor’s inclination to extend a bipartisan olive branch after the historically contentious 2000 election.
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Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "It’s the President’s Prerogative to Name a COVID-19 Spending Watchdog He Trusts," 8 Apr. 2020 Customarily, worshippers carry palm fronds and olive branches – which represent hope – from the top of the Mount of Olives and march into Jerusalem.
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Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, "Palm Sunday ceremonies in Vatican City, Jerusalem limited over coronavirus fears as Easter restrictions loom," 5 Apr. 2020 Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 5, with tradition calling for an outdoor Mass in the square also on that day, when faithful clutch palm fronds and olive branches.
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Frances D’emilio, BostonGlobe.com, "Pope leaves Vatican, prays for end to pandemic," 15 Mar. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'olive branch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for olive branch
The first known use of olive branch was in the 14th century
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