conciliate

[ kuhn-sil-ee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, con·cil·i·at·ed, con·cil·i·at·ing.

1. to overcome the distrust or hostility of; placate; win over:

   to conciliate an angry competitor.

2. to win or gain (goodwill, regard, or favor).
3. to make compatible; reconcile.

verb (used without object)

, con·cil·i·at·ed, con·cil·i·at·ing.

1. to become agreeable or reconciled:

   Efforts to conciliate in the dispute proved fruitless.

conciliate

/ kənˈsɪlɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to overcome the hostility of; placate; win over
2. to win or gain (favour, regard, etc), esp by making friendly overtures
3. archaic.
   to make compatible; reconcile

Derived Forms

• conˈciliable, adjective
• conˈciliˌator, noun

Other Words From

• con·cil·i·a·ble [k, uh, n-, sil, -ee-, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• con·cili·ating·ly adverb
• con·cili·ation noun
• noncon·cili·ating adjective
• procon·cili·ation adjective
• uncon·cili·a·ble adjective
• uncon·cili·ated adjective
• uncon·cili·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conciliate¹

1540–50; < Latin conciliātus (past participle of conciliāre to bring together, unite, equivalent to concili ( um ) council + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of conciliate¹

C16: from Latin conciliāre to bring together, from concilium council

Synonym Study

See appease.

Example Sentences

A French visitor — a conservationist for an NGO and a symbolic representative of the European Union — bleats a few conciliating sentiments but is scornfully shut down.

From New York Times

They have realized that like-minded countries need to spend more time working with one another and less time trying to conciliate leaders in Beijing and Pyongyang.

From Washington Post

Much as former President Barack Obama once courted congressional Republicans, Tromp sought to conciliate the conservative legislators.

From Salon

Yes, pay them beforehand, soften the blow in advance, and conciliate their good will while we still have the chance.

From Salon

He had to reward those who backed him, but many believe he also needed to conciliate those who were unhappy with his election.

From BBC