reconcile

[ rek-uhn-sahyl ]

verb (used with object)

, rec·on·ciled, rec·on·cil·ing.

1. to cause (a person) to accept or be resigned to something not desired:

   He was reconciled to his fate.

2. to win over to friendliness; cause to become amicable:

   to reconcile hostile persons.

   Synonyms: placate, propitiate, pacify

3. to compose or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.).

   Antonyms: anger

4. to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent:

   to reconcile differing statements;

   to reconcile accounts.

   Synonyms: harmonize

5. to reconsecrate (a desecrated church, cemetery, etc.).
6. to restore (an excommunicate or penitent) to communion in a church.

verb (used without object)

, rec·on·ciled, rec·on·cil·ing.

1. to become reconciled.

reconcile

/ ˈrɛkənˌsaɪl; -trɪ; ˌrɛkənˌsɪlɪˈeɪʃən; ˌrɛkənˈsɪlɪətərɪ /

verb

1. often passiveusually foll byto to make (oneself or another) no longer opposed; cause to acquiesce in something unpleasant

   she reconciled herself to poverty

2. to become friendly with (someone) after estrangement or to re-establish friendly relations between (two or more people)
3. to settle (a quarrel or difference)
4. to make (two apparently conflicting things) compatible or consistent with each other
5. to reconsecrate (a desecrated church, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈreconˌciler, noun
• reconciliatory, adjective
• ˈreconˌcilement, noun
• reconciliation, noun

Other Words From

• recon·cilement noun
• recon·ciler noun
• recon·ciling·ly adverb
• pre·recon·cile verb (used with object) prereconciled prereconciling
• pre·recon·cilement noun
• quasi-recon·ciled adjective
• un·recon·ciled adjective
• un·recon·ciling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reconcile¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English reconcilen, from Latin reconciliāre “to make good again, repair,” equivalent to re- re- + conciliāre “to bring together” ( conciliate )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reconcile¹

C14: from Latin reconciliāre to bring together again, from re- + conciliāre to make friendly, conciliate

Example Sentences

The LAO said the state should be in a much better financial position for next year’s budget than earlier this year when Democrats were forced to reconcile a nearly $50-billion shortfall.

From Los Angeles Times

He also expressed hopes to reconcile with Hague, calling her "the woman of my dreams".

From BBC

How will she reconcile with Latinos sore that they aren’t represented by one of their own?

From Los Angeles Times

That is not a view they can reconcile with their own conviction that they are trying to save lives.

From BBC

Years later, after Brown’s assault on Rihanna, Combs invited both to his Miami residence to try to reconcile.

From Salon

Related Words

• accommodate
• appease
• assuage
• conform
• coordinate
• harmonize
• integrate
• pacify
• placate
• rectify
• resolve
• reunite

More About Reconcile

What does reconcile mean?

Reconcile means to make amends, come to a truce, or settle a dispute.

Reconcile can also mean to make things compatible or consistent with each other. This sense of the word is especially used when discussing two things that cannot be reconciled, such as two contrasting beliefs.

Another sense of the word means to cause to accept a negative situation or become resigned to it, as in I am reconciled to my fate of never being able to afford my dream house. 

The noun form of reconcile is reconciliation, which refers to the process of reconciling. It’s also the name of a Catholic sacrament involving the confession of sin.

Example: After years of not speaking to each other, the two finally sat down and reconciled.

Where does reconcile come from?

The first records of the word reconcile come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin reconciliāre, meaning “to make good again” or “to repair.”

To reconcile with someone is to repair a relationship that had been broken. It can happen between two people, such as former friends who had a falling-out. Or it can happen between groups, such as warring factions in a country. Reconciling is usually thought to create more than just a truce. When true reconciliation occurs, the two formerly hostile sides become respectful of each other—and, ideally, friends.

When you reconcile two things, you make them consistent. You can reconcile the numbers with a total amount. This sense of the word is often used in questions about how two seemingly contrasting things can be compatible, such as You said you support the plan but that it might not be the best choice—how do you reconcile those two statements?

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to reconcile?

• reconciliation (noun)

What are some synonyms for reconcile?

• conciliate
• make up
• resign

What are some words that share a root or word element with reconcile? 

• conciliatory

What are some words that often get used in discussing reconcile?

 

• forgiveness
• amends
• relationship
• amicable
• mediation
• settlement
• harmony
• compromise
• accord

How is reconcile used in real life?

When it refers to making amends, reconcile is typically used in the context of two parties that have a serious, longstanding dispute. When it refers to making two things consistent, it’s often used in the discussion or two things that seem to be incompatible.

My Father disowned me when I said I wouldn't fight in Vietnam. We reconciled; there is always hope. Push on.

— 💧George Williams on Guringai Land (@georgerobbwill) May 26, 2020

social media makes it easy to feel like everyone agrees with you on a thing and i think it becomes especially difficult when in reality you have a minority opinion and its very hard to reconcile the two things.

— Oliver Willis (@owillis) April 14, 2020

Life is just an endless series of attempts to reconcile how you feel with how you think you’re supposed to feel.

— Shower Thoughts (@TheWeirdWorld) December 5, 2017

 

 

Try using reconcile!

True or False? 

Reconcile means the same thing as apologize.