detente
Easing of hostilities
Détente refers to the easing of strained relations, especially between countries that have been hostile toward each other.
The term gained prominence during the Cold War to describe periods when tensions between the United States and Soviet Union relaxed through diplomatic engagement rather than confrontation.
More broadly, détente can apply to any situation where adversaries step back from conflict: After months of bitter arguments, the siblings reached a fragile détente.
Reestablishment of harmonious relations
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- normalizationAdjusting to a standard
- olive branchSymbol of reconciliation
- healingRestoration of health
bridge-building · trust-building · fence-mending · goodwill · rehabilitation · reengagement · thaw · easing
Return to liquid
- glasnostSoviet transparency reform
- perestroikaSoviet reform initiative
- SALTNuclear arms control negotiations
- Nixon37th U.S. president
Kissinger · Brezhnev · arms control · Iron Curtain · rapprochement · Helsinki Accords · peaceful coexistence · arms limitation
Reestablishment of harmonious relations
- accordHarmony between parties
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
ambassador · bilateral talks · foreign policy · statecraft · communiqué · protocol · pact · delegation
Speaks with others
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- concessionsThings granted or yielded
- backchannelUnofficial communication pathway
mediation · bargaining · roundtable · understanding · deal-making · give-and-take · terms · breakthrough
Agreed halt to fighting
- armisticeAgreement to cease hostilities
- truceAgreed halt to hostilities
- calmFree from agitation
- de-escalationReducing conflict intensity
pacification · coexistence · stability · relaxation · respite · lull · standdown · disarmament
rapprochement
Reestablishment of harmonious relations
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- normalizationAdjusting to a standard
- olive branchSymbol of reconciliation
healing · bridge-building · trust-building · fence-mending · goodwill · rehabilitation · reengagement · thaw · easing · opening
thaw
Return to liquid
- glasnostSoviet transparency reform
- perestroikaSoviet reform initiative
- SALTNuclear arms control negotiations
Nixon · Kissinger · Brezhnev · arms control · Iron Curtain · rapprochement · Helsinki Accords · peaceful coexistence · arms limitation · nuclear freeze
rapprochement
Reestablishment of harmonious relations
envoy · ambassador · bilateral talks · foreign policy · statecraft · communiqué · protocol · pact · delegation · engagement
talks
Speaks with others
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- concessionsThings granted or yielded
backchannel · mediation · bargaining · roundtable · understanding · deal-making · give-and-take · terms · breakthrough · verification
ceasefire
Agreed halt to fighting
de-escalation · pacification · coexistence · stability · relaxation · respite · lull · standdown · disarmament · demilitarization
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- agreementagree, accord, yes, yeah, yep
- Making Peaceapology, compromise, forgiveness, truce, peace talks
- negotiationsbargaining, offer, counteroffer, counter offer, compromise
- peacemakingnegotiation, mediation, peace agreement, mediate, pacifying
- reconciliationreconciliation, reconcile, reconciled, reconciling, making up
detentehostility
Antagonistic disposition toward others
confrontation · tension · Cold War · antagonism · conflict
detenteescalation
Progressive increase in intensity
provocation · deterioration · intensification · breakdown · rupture
detentebrinkmanship
Pushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
saber-rattling · containment · hawkishness · militarism · warmongering