détente

noun

dé·​tente dā-ˈtänt How to pronounce détente (audio)
variants or detente
1
: the relaxation of strained relations or tensions (as between nations)
diplomats brokering a détente
also : a policy promoting this
2
: a period of détente
the beginning of a détente

Examples of détente in a Sentence

as the countries move toward détente the start of a détente
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But at this early stage in the race, there’s no sign of a detente. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025 The war of words marked an end to a two and a half week detente between the president and Musk. Rachel Scott, ABC News, 1 July 2025 The market is now positioned for further cooling of trade frictions, raising the bar for what is considered progress well beyond what last week's vague and contingent detente between the U.S. and China could meet. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 June 2025 That followed a tariff detente between the US and China and an earnings season that showed Nvidia’s biggest customers remain full-steam ahead on capital spending related to artificial intelligence infrastructure, where the chipmaker dominates. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 16 May 2025 Such fears led to intelligence-policy breakdowns over estimates of enemy strength in the Vietnam War and estimates of Soviet missile capabilities in the early years of detente. Joshua Rovner, The Conversation, 2 July 2025 Tesla’s stock partially recovered amid hopes of a detente, rising 5 percent. Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 7 June 2025 Newsom and Trump have long been at odds, although the two had a brief detente in their relationship in the past few months. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 9 June 2025 So far, the feud between Trump and Musk is probably best described as a moving target, with plenty of opportunities for escalation or detente. Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of détente was in 1908

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Détente.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/d%C3%A9tente. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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