rapprochement

noun

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

-ˌprȯsh-;

ra-ˈprōsh-ˌmäⁿ

: establishment of or state of having cordial relations

Synonyms

• communion
• fellowship
• rapport

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

The Lara hire, perhaps, solidifies a rapprochement. —Jon Allsop, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025

In Kyiv, meanwhile, ordinary Ukrainians reiterated their support for Zelenskyy, while keeping an anxious eye on the rapprochement between Trump and Putin. —Daryna Mayer, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025

In one fell swoop, Trump and Netanyahu did more to achieve Israeli-Arab rapprochement than all previous American presidents and Israeli prime ministers combined. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

Ex-colleagues, notably former national security adviser John Bolton, have described how even when tensions with China and Iran were at their worst during his first term, Mr. Trump would come back to the idea of holding face-to-face talks with their leaders and achieving a dramatic rapprochement. —Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Jan. 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