Truce

noun

Frequency

Medium

CEFR Level

Neutral

Domain

Agreement

Definition

1. A temporary agreement between enemies to stop fighting in a war or conflict.
2. An agreement to stop arguing or disagreeing in everyday life.

Context Alive

The two brothers had been fighting over their father’s business for months. Neither would speak to the other at family events. Finally, their mother sat them both down and demanded they call a truce before the whole family fell apart. They reluctantly agreed to put their differences aside, at least for now.

Meanings

2 meanings

1 A Temporary Agreement to Stop Fighting in a War or Conflict (Noun) Very Common ▼

This meaning is about a formal or informal agreement between two sides in a war or armed conflict to temporarily stop fighting. Imagine two countries that have been at war for years. Thousands have died, cities are destroyed, and both sides are exhausted. Finally, their leaders agree to a truce — a pause in the fighting so that aid workers can deliver food and medicine to civilians. This is a truce — a temporary stop to violence, though not necessarily a permanent peace. You might hear “the two sides agreed to a 72-hour truce,” or a news report could say “the truce collapsed after just three days when fighting broke out again.” Or think about soldiers on both sides laying down their weapons for a single night, knowing the fighting will likely resume at dawn. The word suggests something hopeful but fragile. ✏️ “Call a truce,” “declare a truce,” and “uneasy truce” are the most common combinations — an “uneasy truce” means both sides have stopped fighting but the tension is still very much alive.

Vivid Example

After weeks of heavy fighting that left both armies exhausted, the generals finally agreed to a truce over the holiday period. Soldiers on both sides put down their weapons and sat in silence. Nobody knew if the peace would hold, but for one night, the guns were quiet.

2 An Agreement to Stop Arguing or Disagreeing in Everyday Life (Noun) Common ▼

This meaning is about people in everyday situations agreeing to stop fighting, arguing, or competing with each other — at least for a while. Imagine two colleagues who have been clashing over a project for weeks, sending tense emails and disagreeing in every meeting. Eventually, their manager tells them to call a truce and find a way to work together. This is using truce in a figurative way — no weapons or wars, just an agreement to stop the hostility. You might say “let’s call a truce — I’m tired of arguing about this,” or a parent could tell their children “I want you two to declare a truce before dinner.” Or picture two rival restaurants on the same street who finally agree to a truce and stop trying to steal each other’s customers. The word suggests that both sides are tired of the conflict and willing to pause it. ✏️ “Call a truce” is by far the most common expression in everyday English — it’s a friendly, natural way to say “let’s stop fighting.”

Vivid Example

The couple had been arguing about where to go on holiday for three straight evenings. On the fourth night, he walked in with pizza and said “I’m calling a truce — let’s eat, watch a film, and figure this out tomorrow.” She laughed, grabbed a slice, and the tension finally melted away.

Examples from the Street

“OK, OK — truce! I don’t want to argue anymore.”

Alright, let’s stop fighting — I’ve had enough of this disagreement

“The two brothers finally called a truce after weeks of not speaking.”

The two siblings eventually agreed to stop their conflict after weeks of silence

“There’s an uneasy truce between them — they’re polite but you can feel the tension.”

They’ve stopped openly fighting, but the peace between them feels fragile and uncomfortable

Common Patterns

call/declare a truce → agree to stop fighting or arguing

agree to a truce → accept an arrangement to end hostilities

an uneasy/fragile truce → a peace that feels unstable and could break down at any time

a temporary/brief truce → a short-lived pause in fighting or conflict

break/violate a truce → resume hostilities after agreeing to stop

hold/maintain a truce → keep the peace agreement going without breaking it

truce! → said aloud to propose stopping an argument on the spot (used as an exclamation)

call a truce with (someone) → agree to stop fighting or feuding with a specific person

a truce between (people/groups) → a peace arrangement between two sides in conflict

offer/propose a truce → suggest ending a disagreement and making peace

Collocations

3 collocations

call a truce

agree to stop fighting temporarily

declare a truce

formally announce a ceasefire

uneasy truce

a fragile and tense ceasefire

Example Sentences

12 examples

After three days of constant bickering on holiday, the couple finally called a truce and agreed to enjoy the rest of the trip

After seventy-two hours of non-stop petty arguments during their break, the pair eventually agreed to stop quarrelling and make the most of the remaining time away.

The two rival gangs agreed to a truce after community leaders stepped in to mediate

The two opposing groups accepted a peace arrangement after respected local figures intervened to help negotiate.

There was a fragile truce in the office after the restructuring — nobody was fighting, but nobody was happy either

There was a delicate, unstable peace at work after the reorganisation — no one was openly in conflict, but no one was content.

The children were screaming at each other until their mother shouted “Truce! Both of you — sit down and be quiet”

The kids were yelling at one another until their mum called out for them to stop immediately and told them both to sit and calm down.

The government declared a truce during the religious holiday, but fighting resumed the following week

The authorities announced a halt to military operations for the sacred celebration, but armed conflict started again seven days later.

He offered a truce by bringing her favourite coffee to her desk without saying a word

He made a silent peace gesture by placing her preferred hot drink on her work surface without speaking.

The neighbours had been feuding for months, but a temporary truce was reached over the shared fence

The people living next door to each other had been in conflict for a long time, but a short-lived agreement was made about the boundary they both used.

Everyone could see that the truce between the two departments wouldn’t last long

It was obvious to all that the peace arrangement between the two sections of the organisation was not going to survive.

She broke the truce by bringing up the argument again at dinner

She destroyed the peace agreement by raising the same disagreement once more during the evening meal.

After years of bitter rivalry, the two companies maintained an uneasy truce — cooperating publicly while competing fiercely behind the scenes

After a long period of intense competition, the two businesses kept up a tense, uncomfortable peace — working together in front of cameras while fighting hard for advantage in private.

Learner Examples

★

When two students have been arguing all lesson, sometimes the best a teacher can do is help them call a truce and move on

When two pupils have been in conflict for the entire class, sometimes the most effective thing an educator can do is guide them to agree to stop fighting and carry on with the lesson.

★

Group projects often require students to agree to a truce over creative differences so they can actually finish the work on time

Collaborative assignments frequently demand that learners accept a peace agreement regarding their different ideas so they can actually complete the task by the deadline.