Standard Lemma guide

démarche

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /deɪˈmɑːʃ/
  • US: /deɪˈmɑɹʃ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɑːʃ

1

noun

Meaning 1

A diplomatic maneuver; one handled with finesse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A diplomatic note without a personal attribution conveying an official protest or request for support, less formal than a bout de papier or a note verbale but of similar status to an aide-mémoire.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French démarche, from Middle French, from 12th century demarcher (“to march”), from Old French demarchier, from de- + marchier. Attested 1658, in sense “walk, step”; meaning “a diplomatic move” attested from 1670s.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Georgian: დემარში (demarši) — a diplomatic maneuver; one handled with finesse
  • Greek: διάβημα (diávima) — a diplomatic maneuver; one handled with finesse
  • Hungarian: (diplomáciai) lépés — a diplomatic maneuver; one handled with finesse
  • Macedonian: дема́рш (demárš) — a diplomatic maneuver; one handled with finesse
  • Russian: дема́рш (demárš) — a diplomatic maneuver; one handled with finesse
  • Chinese Mandarin: 照會 /照会 (zhàohuì) — type of diplomatic note
  • Hungarian: demars — type of diplomatic note
  • Hungarian: tiltakozás — type of diplomatic note
  • Hungarian: írott/írásbeli felszólítás — type of diplomatic note
  • Macedonian: дема́рш (demárš) — type of diplomatic note
  • Russian: дема́рш (demárš) — type of diplomatic note
  • Turkish: protesto notası — type of diplomatic note