harmonize

American  

[hahr-muh-nahyz] / ˈhɑr məˌnaɪz /

especially British, harmonise

verb (used with object)

harmonized, harmonizing

1. to bring into harmony, accord, or agreement.

   to harmonize one's views with the new situation.

   Synonyms:

   compose, reconcile

2. Music. to accompany with appropriate harmony.

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verb (used without object)

harmonized, harmonizing

1. to be in agreement in action, sense, or feeling.

   Though of different political parties, all the delegates harmonized on civil rights.

   Synonyms:

   accord, agree

2. to sing in harmony.

harmonize British  

/ ˈhɑːməˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become harmonious

2. (tr) music to provide a harmony for (a melody, tune, etc)

3. (intr) to sing in harmony, as with other singers

4. to collate parallel narratives

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Other Word Forms

• harmonizable
  adjective
• harmonization
  noun
• harmonizer
  noun
• reharmonize
  verb (used with object)
• unharmonize
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of harmonize

First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English, also armonise, from Middle French harmoniser, equivalent to harmonie + -iser, verb suffix; see harmony, -ize

Explanation

When you harmonize different opinions or ideas, you bring them to some kind of agreement. It's challenging to harmonize the different interests of a whole classroom full of children, but that's part of what a good teacher does. When senators from different parties work together on a bill, they need to harmonize their different expectations and and priorities before they can come up with a good compromise. Another way to harmonize is to blend two singing voices or two instruments in a way that sounds pleasing. This is the oldest meaning of the word, which ultimately comes from the Greek harmonia, "concord of sounds" or "agreement."

Example Sentences

This approach is being used in a project called Harmonize.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2023

The regular concert appearances in Kenya of Nigerian stars such as Davido, Burna Boy and Omah Lay, and Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny and Harmonize spark frenzies among their local fans.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2022

Another big star, Harmonize, also came along - even though he had also fallen out with Diamond Platnumz after leaving his record label.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2020

"I feel good when I see Alikiba seated next to Diamond. When you see Harmonize, who left Diamond, praising him in public, that's the unity I want," the president was quoted as saying.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2020

Harmonize the color of this scarf with the decorations of the dining-room.

From Social Life or, The Manners and Customs of Polite Society by Cooke, Maud C.

Related Words

• adjust
• cooperate
• coordinate
• correspond
• integrate
• match
• reconcile
• unify