Make Your Point > Archived Issues > RAPPROCHEMENT
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You can pronounce that last N, or leave it off. Just don't pronounce the T!
We usually apply the lovely word rapprochement to a relationship between countries.
We took the word "rapprochement" directly from French. It has Latin bits that literally mean "an approaching again," or even more literally, "a coming near again."
Part of speech:
"Rapprochement" is a formal, semi-common word. Plenty of people will be put off by it: it's fancy, and French. Most of the time, you don't need it; the word "reconciliation" will do just fine instead.
"The full cultural effects of Cuba's current rapprochement with the United States remain to be seen."
Explain the meaning of "rapprochement" without saying "reunion" or "reconciliation."
Think of two groups of people who have trouble seeing eye to eye. Fill in the blanks: "There's not much of a rapprochement between (one group) and (another)."
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
1.
The opposite of a RAPPROCHEMENT could be
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