tenuous truce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous truce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fragile or weak agreement between parties, often in a conflict or negotiation context. Example: "Despite the ongoing tensions, the two sides managed to establish a tenuous truce, but it was clear that peace was still far from certain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He added, "This is a very temporary, tenuous truce, that's all".

The New York Times

Officials of Hamas are in Cairo talking with Egyptian mediators who are trying to extend a tenuous truce with Israel.

The New York Times

McCain's tenuous truce with right-wing bloggers is likely to last only as long as the GOP nominee trails in the polls.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like all implementations of "live and let live," the officers' decisions were made without any authorization from above, and the tenuous truce slowly started to take hold.

Britannica

It was the highest number of civilian casualties since the latest fighting began, effectively reviving the two-decade civil war in Sri Lanka after four and a half years of a tenuous truce.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Artillery explosions and machine-gun fire echoed across the center of Sana from late Monday into Tuesday morning as fierce fighting shattered a tenuous truce that had lasted fewer than two days.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Tenuous truces in northeast Los Angeles have snapped.

The New York Times

Yet another casualty of Lebanon's repetitive cycle of wars and tenuous truces, Ms. Khalil spent most of her childhood living between Lebanon and France.

The New York Times - Arts

BAGHDAD, Dec. 3 -- A recent wave of killings and assassinations in Iraq threatens a tenuous political truce between Arab Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims, the head of the country's most influential group of Sunni clerics said Saturday, 12 days before national parliamentary elections.

The Washington Post

In his civvies, he's a biologist who advises the cops in Ocean City, a crime-ravaged community now existing under a tenuous gang truce.

Los Angeles Times

The rocket attack occurred hours after Mr. Olmert met President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheik to discuss the next steps in the tenuous Egyptian-mediated truce and the renewal of efforts to resolve the case of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli corporal held by Hamas in Gaza since June 25 , 2006

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tenuous truce", ensure the context clearly indicates the underlying tensions and potential for the truce to collapse. This adds depth and realism to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous truce" when describing a genuinely stable or long-lasting peace. The term specifically implies a fragile and uncertain situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous truce" functions as a noun phrase, where "tenuous" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "truce". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tenuous truce" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly in news and media, to describe a fragile or unstable agreement between conflicting parties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, remember to emphasize the underlying tensions and potential for the agreement to collapse. Consider alternatives like "fragile ceasefire" or "shaky agreement" to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile ceasefire

Replaces "truce" with "ceasefire", emphasizing a temporary cessation of hostilities.

shaky agreement

Uses "shaky" to highlight the instability and uncertainty of the agreement.

unstable pact

Substitutes "truce" with "pact", suggesting a more formal but still precarious agreement.

precarious peace

Emphasizes the delicate and uncertain nature of the peace that the truce is meant to establish.

flimsy accord

Highlights the weakness and lack of solid foundation of the accord.

delicate understanding

Focuses on the fragility of the mutual understanding between the parties involved.

temporary cessation of hostilities

A more formal and descriptive alternative emphasizing the limited duration of the truce.

uneasy calm

Shifts the focus to the atmosphere created by the truce, highlighting the underlying tension.

provisional settlement

Implies a temporary resolution that is subject to change or further negotiation.

tenative arrangement

Indicates a lack of confidence or certainty in the stability of the arrangement.

FAQs

How can I use "tenuous truce" in a sentence?

You can use "tenuous truce" to describe a fragile agreement between opposing sides, such as, "Despite the ongoing tensions, the two factions reached a "tenuous truce", but its future remains uncertain."

What's a good alternative to "tenuous truce"?

Alternatives include "fragile ceasefire", "shaky agreement", or "unstable pact". The best choice depends on the specific nuances you want to convey.

What does "tenuous" mean in the context of "tenuous truce"?

In this context, "tenuous" means weak, fragile, or uncertain. It implies that the "tenuous truce" is likely to break down or collapse easily.

Is "tenuous truce" a formal or informal expression?

"Tenuous truce" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for news reports, academic papers, and other formal contexts, but it can also be used in less formal settings.