rapprochement

[ rap-rohsh-mahn; French ra-prawsh-mahn ]
See synonyms for rapprochement on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an establishment or reestablishment of harmonious relations: a rapprochement reached between warring factions.

Origin of rapprochement

1
First recorded in1790–1800; from French, equivalent to rapproche(r) “to bring near, bring together,” from r(e)- + approcher + -ment; see origin at re-, approach,-ment

Other words for rapprochement

Words Nearby rapprochement

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use rapprochement in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rapprochement

rapprochement

/ French (raprɔʃmɑ̃) /


noun
  1. a resumption of friendly relations, esp between two countries

Origin of rapprochement

1
C19: literally: bringing closer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for rapprochement

rapprochement

[ (rap-rohsh-mahnn, rah-prawsh-mahnn) ]


A closer approach of two groups to each other. Rapprochement, a French term, is often applied to two nations, especially ones that become reconciled after relations between them have worsened.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.