truce

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'truce' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a temporary agreement to stop fighting or arguing, usually for a specific period of time. For example, “The two sides in the conflict agreed to a truce while negotiations were ongoing.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A truce agreed in September has also been regularly breached.

The Guardian

Israel accused Hamas of violating the latest of a series of temporary ceasefires after rockets were launched from Gaza on Tuesday hours before the end of the latest truce, triggering a swift military and political response.

The Guardian

It is Eid al-Adha here and people hoped that they might enjoy the truce, but so far we got to know that three in Harasta were killed.

The Guardian

The truce was proposed by UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi in the face of scepticism from opposition activists and rebels.

The Guardian

The US joined other UN security council members in lining up to pour scorn on a resolution drafted by Moscow approving the truce.

The Guardian

Related: Ukraine pro-Russia forces seize strategic Debaltseve railway hub despite truce Vladimir Putin sought to delay the ceasefire by 10 days because he wanted to give separatists time to capture the town, an EU summit was told last week.

The Guardian

Kaletsky thinks the president, whose power is waxing, can now "dictate the broad terms of a budgetary truce" to Republicans, and that "the approaching budget and debt negotiations should prove surprisingly consensual and calm".

The Guardian

And as the great political war about Europe grinds on, any kind of truce seems more unlikely than ever.

The Guardian

"Any truce would not only allow some of the humanitarian help to reach them, but it would also allow all the people who've been holed up in bunkers and at home, and also displaced in camps to rest a bit and to do normal things," ICRC spokesman Alexis Heeb, told the BBC.

The Guardian

It also claims to have counted 110 breaches of the truce by the government.

The Guardian

Pessimists CNN: Snipers, clashes and shelling: Syrian truce on the edge of collapse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on international conflicts, use "truce" to indicate a fragile agreement that may be broken. Be precise if the agreement is a formal treaty (armistice) or simply a temporary cessation (ceasefire).

Common error

Avoid assuming a "truce" is a permanent resolution. It's a temporary pause; sustained peace requires further negotiation and agreement.

Linguistic Context

The word "truce" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a temporary agreement to stop fighting. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is common across a variety of contexts, especially in news and media reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis confirms that "truce" is a common and correct term to describe a temporary cessation of hostilities. Its primary function is as a noun, often used in news and formal contexts. Ludwig AI's insights show it's important to remember the term's temporary nature, distinguishing it from more permanent resolutions like peace treaties. While closely related to terms like "ceasefire" and "armistice", "truce" often implies a more localized or informal arrangement. Pay attention to context to ensure accurate and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ceasefire

Directly refers to a temporary cessation of fighting, often used interchangeably with "truce".

armistice

Implies a formal agreement to stop fighting, often as a prelude to a peace treaty.

cessation of hostilities

A more formal and official way of saying fighting has stopped.

temporary suspension of conflict

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the break in conflict.

pause in fighting

A simple and direct way to describe a break in combat.

agreement to halt aggression

Focuses on the agreement aspect and the stopping of aggressive actions.

moratorium on violence

Highlights the suspension of violent acts.

standstill

Implies a halt in activity, specifically regarding conflict.

lull in the battle

Describes a quiet period within a larger conflict.

break in the fighting

Informal way to express the cessation of fighting.

FAQs

How is a "truce" different from a ceasefire?

While often used interchangeably, a "truce" /s/truce suggests a more informal or localized agreement to stop fighting, whereas a "ceasefire" is generally a more formal, comprehensive cessation of hostilities.

What's another word for "truce"?

Depending on the context, you could use "ceasefire", "armistice", or "cessation of hostilities" as alternatives to "truce".

How long does a "truce" last?

A "truce" /s/truce can last for a few hours, days, or even weeks, depending on the agreement. Its duration is usually specified when the "truce" /s/truce is established.

What happens when a "truce" is broken?

When a "truce" is broken, hostilities typically resume. This can lead to an escalation of conflict and a breakdown of trust between the parties involved.