detente
easing of tension
Roots
- de-: down, away, reversal, reduction, or removal
- tend / tens: stretch, strain, or extend
Other words with the tend / tens root
- contend: to struggle or argue for a position
- contention: a claim or point of disagreement
- contentious: likely to cause argument
- distend: to swell by stretching outward
- tension: strain from being stretched or pulled
Detente is tension eased: the stretched relation relaxes instead of snapping.
The two rivals reached a fragile detente after months of threats.
Detente comes through French from an un-stretching or relaxing image. Tension is the useful hook: detente is what happens when that tension loosens.