truce

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrüs 

1

: a suspension of fighting especially of considerable duration by agreement of opposing forces : armistice, ceasefire

2

: a respite especially from a disagreeable or painful state or action

That tortured rage morphs into a loving, uneasy truce …

—Randy Gener

truce

2 of 2

verb

truced; trucing

intransitive verb

: to make a truce

transitive verb

: to end with a truce

Synonyms of truce

Noun

• armistice
• ceasefire

Examples of truce in a Sentence

Noun

There's been an uneasy truce between her and her parents for the past several months.

both sides agreed to a 24-hour truce beginning at midnight on Christmas Eve

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants, reported more than 300 deaths since the truce began. —Arkansas Online, 21 Nov. 2025

The ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, has reported 280 deaths since the truce began, an average of more than seven per day. —CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

For American farmers hoping that the latest trade truce would quickly reopen China's market, the mountain of soybeans sitting in Chinese ports tells a different story. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025

But several critical decision points on the horizon — disarming Hamas, establishing international security forces in the territory and establishing an alternative governance structure for a post-Hamas Gaza — could undermine the delicate truce if things go sideways. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English trewes, plural of trewe agreement, from Old English trēow fidelity; akin to Old English trēowe faithful — more at true entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1569, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing truce

• break the truce
• flag of truce

Rhymes for truce

• coos
• cruce
• deuce
• douce
• duce
• goose
• hoose
• juice
• loose
• mousse
• noose
• nous

Kids Definition

truce

noun

ˈtrüs

1

: a temporary stopping of fighting (as in a war)

2

: a short rest especially from something unpleasant