rapprochement

noun

rap·​proche·​ment ˌra-ˌprōsh-ˈmänt  ˌra-ˌprōsh-ˈmäⁿ 

-ˌprȯsh-;

ra-ˈprōsh-ˌmäⁿ

: establishment of or state of having cordial relations

Synonyms

• friendship
• solidarity
• communion
• rapport
• unity

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

Ten years ago, President Obama brokered an extraordinary, historic rapprochement with Cuba, when Raúl Castro, the brother of Fidel, was the President. —Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Shared defiance of Moscow thus spurred the two leaders into a rapprochement at a moment when Russian capacity in the Caucasus is checked by the war in Ukraine. —Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025

The king is at Balmoral, where he is expected to remain until the end of September, which means Harry would need to be invited to Scotland for a rapprochement. —Alexander Larman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

Hopes were raised for a rapprochement between Harry and his father in July when aides of Harry and the King met for the first time in London. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for rapprochement

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• phenomenon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon

Kids Definition

rapprochement

noun

rap·​proche·​ment ˌrap-ˌrōsh-ˈmän 

: establishment of or state of having friendly relations