# truce

/ˈtɹus/ (US) · /tɹˈuːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/truce
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. agreement to stop fighting

noun · CEFR B2

an agreement between enemies to stop fighting for a while.

For teachers: a formal or informal agreement between opposing parties to suspend active hostilities for a specific duration.

- The two countries signed a temporary truce to allow civilians to leave the city safely.
- The fragile truce held for several weeks, providing a vital window for humanitarian aid to reach the besieged population before negotiations resumed.

### 2. personal argument

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short break from an argument or disagreement between friends or family.

For teachers: a temporary suspension of a personal dispute or social conflict.

- The siblings called a truce for the afternoon so they could enjoy their mother's birthday party.
- After months of bickering over the inheritance, the cousins finally declared a truce to focus on the more pressing matter of the estate sale.

## Examples

- The two brothers finally called a truce after their long argument.
- The warring factions agreed to a three-day truce to allow humanitarian aid to reach the city's residents.
- While the truce provided a much-needed respite for the exhausted soldiers, both sides remained skeptical that it would eventually lead to a permanent peace treaty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.