Detente
noun
Relaxation in political tension between countries.
A period of detente was experienced, leading to improved relations between the countries.
Usage tips
Formal
Political
noun
A break or pause.
The conductor signaled a brief detente before the next movement.
Usage tips
Technical
noun
Relaxation in political tension between countries.
A period of detente was experienced, leading to improved relations between the countries.
Usage tips
Formal
Political
noun
A break or pause.
The conductor signaled a brief detente before the next movement.
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Cold War Term
Detente is often associated with the Cold War era, referring to reduced hostility.
The Nuclear Arms Treaty marked the beginning of detente between the superpowers.
Pro Tip 2/3Temporary Phase
Detente suggests a temporary phase; tensions may still exist below the surface.
Despite the ongoing detente, the two nations kept their armies on high alert.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Friendship
Detente implies easing of tensions, not necessarily a shift to friendly relations.
The detente reduced the risk of war but did not lead to a strong alliance.
Pro Tip 1/3Cold War Term
Detente is often associated with the Cold War era, referring to reduced hostility.
The Nuclear Arms Treaty marked the beginning of detente between the superpowers.
Pro Tip 2/3Temporary Phase
Detente suggests a temporary phase; tensions may still exist below the surface.
Despite the ongoing detente, the two nations kept their armies on high alert.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Friendship
Detente implies easing of tensions, not necessarily a shift to friendly relations.
The detente reduced the risk of war but did not lead to a strong alliance.
Pro Tip 1/3Cold War Term
Detente is often associated with the Cold War era, referring to reduced hostility.
The Nuclear Arms Treaty marked the beginning of detente between the superpowers.
Pro Tip 2/3Temporary Phase
Detente suggests a temporary phase; tensions may still exist below the surface.
Despite the ongoing detente, the two nations kept their armies on high alert.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Friendship
Detente implies easing of tensions, not necessarily a shift to friendly relations.
The detente reduced the risk of war but did not lead to a strong alliance.
Compare with
agreementgoodwillharmonypeacerapprochementreconciliationrelaxationthawunderstand
Never forget "Detente"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Quote examples
Alistair Horne
British Historian
Without Kissinger's work in the Middle East, with Sadat especially, I doubt if the Camp David Agreements five years later would have happened. His achievements over detente, the seeds of trust he sowed in a very distrustful and hostile Moscow, helped over a long period.
Quote examples
Jeane Kirkpatrick
American Diplomat
I believe that detente was having almost the opposite effect of what was intended. What was intended was to sort of end the contest for power and to stop Soviet expansion, especially by military means and the military build-up, the military contest.
Quote examples
Greg Grandin
American Historian
Kissinger celebrants inevitably point to two things to justify their admiration: an opening to China - 'rapprochement' - and improved relations with the Soviet Union - detente - which included SALT, a historic arms-limitation treaty.
Quote examples
Jeane Kirkpatrick
American Diplomat
In the years just before... during the Carter years, the Soviets regularly violated, if you will, both the spirit and theletter of arms control agreements, I think, that they had negotiated during the period of detente.
Quote examples
Jeane Kirkpatrick
American Diplomat
And I think detente had manifestly failed, and that the pursuit of it was encouraging Soviet expansion and rendering the world more dangerous, and especially rendering the Western world in greater peril.
Quote examples
Fidel Castro
Statesman
Following the missile crisis, detente started to gain ground between the United States and the Soviet Union, so the international political climate improved after that.
Quote examples
Stephen Kinzer
American Author
No step the United States could take anywhere in the world would bring strategic benefits as great as detente with Iran.
Quote examples
Robert Dallek
American Historian
I see a direct line between Kennedy and Richard Nixon and the opening to China and the detente with the Soviet Union.
Quote examples
Golda Meir
Israeli Leader
I don't know why you use a fancy French word like detente when there's a good English phrase for it - cold war.
Quote examples
Alistair Horne
British Historian
Without Kissinger's work in the Middle East, with Sadat especially, I doubt if the Camp David Agreements five years later would have happened. His achievements over detente, the seeds of trust he sowed in a very distrustful and hostile Moscow, helped over a long period.
Quote examples
Jeane Kirkpatrick
American Diplomat
I believe that detente was having almost the opposite effect of what was intended. What was intended was to sort of end the contest for power and to stop Soviet expansion, especially by military means and the military build-up, the military contest.
Quote examples
Greg Grandin
American Historian
Kissinger celebrants inevitably point to two things to justify their admiration: an opening to China - 'rapprochement' - and improved relations with the Soviet Union - detente - which included SALT, a historic arms-limitation treaty.
Quote examples
Jeane Kirkpatrick
American Diplomat
In the years just before... during the Carter years, the Soviets regularly violated, if you will, both the spirit and theletter of arms control agreements, I think, that they had negotiated during the period of detente.
Quote examples
Jeane Kirkpatrick
American Diplomat
And I think detente had manifestly failed, and that the pursuit of it was encouraging Soviet expansion and rendering the world more dangerous, and especially rendering the Western world in greater peril.
Quote examples
Fidel Castro
Statesman
Following the missile crisis, detente started to gain ground between the United States and the Soviet Union, so the international political climate improved after that.
Quote examples
Stephen Kinzer
American Author
No step the United States could take anywhere in the world would bring strategic benefits as great as detente with Iran.
Quote examples
Robert Dallek
American Historian
I see a direct line between Kennedy and Richard Nixon and the opening to China and the detente with the Soviet Union.
Quote examples
Golda Meir
Israeli Leader
I don't know why you use a fancy French word like detente when there's a good English phrase for it - cold war.
Example 1 of 9
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension