rapprochement

noun

rap·​proche·​ment ˌra-ˌprōsh-ˈmänt How to pronounce rapprochement (audio) ˌra-ˌprōsh-ˈmäⁿ How to pronounce rapprochement (audio)
-ˌprȯsh-;
ra-ˈprōsh-ˌmäⁿ
: establishment of or state of having cordial relations

Examples of rapprochement in a Sentence

Officials hope that these talks will lead to a rapprochement with the rebels. The possibility of rapprochement between the two countries seems unlikely.
Recent Examples on the Web Whether the rapprochement is substantive or symbolic, however, is not yet clear. Courtney Subramanian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 That more hardline stance has endeared Ankara to Tehran, prompting the two nations to explore a rapprochement, or resumption of harmonious relations. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2023 Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, which advocates for rapprochement and peace between Israelis and Palestinians, recently observed that in no single district in Gaza did Hamas win a majority of votes. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2023 That doesn’t mean that Hamas achieved the goal that observers have attributed to the Islamist group—derailing the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Bymohamed El Aassar, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2023 Instead, the rapprochement had been brokered by China, in Beijing’s latest notable turn as international negotiator. Blaise Malley, The New Republic, 5 Oct. 2023 The Palestinians have felt abandoned by the recent Israeli-Saudi rapprochement, and this feeling must be corrected. Ami Ayalon, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2023 His rapprochement with Tokyo has not been universally popular at home with a public that harbors long memories of the Japanese occupation in the first half of the 20th century, but both sides made clear they are dedicated to a fresh start. Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2023 This may explain Iger’s rapprochement with former top Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, both of whom were passed over for CEO but who have recently been named as consultants to the company. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rapprochement.' 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 rapprocher to bring together, from Middle French, from re- + approcher to approach, from Old French aprochier, from Late Latin appropiare — more at approach

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rapprochement was in 1809

Dictionary Entries Near rapprochement

Cite this Entry

“Rapprochement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapprochement. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

rapprochement

noun
rap·​proche·​ment ˌrap-ˌrōsh-ˈmän How to pronounce rapprochement (audio)
: establishment of or state of having friendly relations

More from Merriam-Webster on rapprochement

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