Words / D / General

detente

/deɪˈtɒnt/

C1CEFR level
65/100Rarity: rare
FormalRegister

General noun

An easing of strained relations, especially after conflict or hostility.

A cautious détente settled over the household once the argument had finally been aired.

Similar: thaw, rapprochement

Origin: French détente 'a loosening, relaxation'.

Topic: reconciliation in General English

Law noun

An easing of hostility between opposing parties.

A fragile detente held long enough for the parties to draft heads of terms.

Similar: rapprochement, thaw, truce

Topic: Arbitration in Legal English

Business noun

An easing of hostility or tension between opposing parties.

A cautious detente followed the arbitration, allowing routine orders to resume.

Similar: thaw, reconciliation

Topic: Negotiation in Business English

Rarity runs from 0 (a word everyone knows) to 100 (almost never seen outside specialist or literary writing). Level is the word's real difficulty on the CEFR scale, from A1 to C2.

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More general words: reconciliation