conciliation
Britishnoun
-
the act or process of conciliating
-
a method of helping the parties in a dispute to reach agreement, esp divorcing or separating couples to part amicably
Explanation
When you calm someone down, soothing their anger or distrust, that's conciliation. Conciliation is an important part of making peace between two warring countries. If you've had a misunderstanding with a friend that you're determined to put right, there's likely to be a tone of conciliation in your voice as you invite her to meet for lunch. You can also use conciliation to bring two other people or groups to an understanding, the way a mediator does when people get divorced, or a peacekeeper works with hostile countries. The Latin root, conciliationem, means "a connection, union, or bond," or literally, "a making friendly."
Vocabulary lists containing conciliation
This Week in Words: February 2 - 8, 2019
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Stories of Ourselves
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Anna Karenina
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Officials fear that a forceful U.S. push to strike a deal for the Arctic island could split European capitals, with some seeking conciliation and others advocating firm resistance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026
The Supreme Court reacted by beginning a process of conciliation between all parties involved.
From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025
In an apparent bid at conciliation, Machado reached out by telephone to Trump.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2025
But conciliation carries the risk of legitimizing the court’s most indefensible actions.
From Slate • Jul. 8, 2025
“The credit given to Mr. Adams for a spirit of conciliation towards France is wonderful,” Madison observed caustically, meaning that it was wholly undeserved.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
