reconsider

American  

[ree-kuhn-sid-er] / ˌri kənˈsɪd ər /

verb (used with object)

reconsiders, present (3rd person singular) reconsidered, past participle, past reconsidering present participle

1. to consider again, especially with a view to change of decision or action.

   to reconsider a refusal.

   Synonyms:

   reevaluate, reexamine, review, rethink

2. Parliamentary Procedure. to take up for consideration a second time, as a motion or a vote, as with the view of reversing or modifying action taken.

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verb (used without object)

reconsiders, present (3rd person singular) reconsidered, past participle, past reconsidering present participle

1. to reconsider a matter.

reconsider British  

/ ˌriːkənˈsɪdə /

verb

1. to consider (something) again, with a view to changing one's policy or course of action

2. (in a legislative assembly or similar body) to consider again (a bill or other matter) that has already been voted upon

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reconsideration
  noun
• unreconsidered
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• reconsidering
  present
• reconsidered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• reconsider
  simple
• reconsiders
  simple
• have reconsidered
  perfect
• has reconsidered
  perfect
• am reconsidering
  progressive
• are reconsidering
  progressive
• is reconsidering
  progressive
• have been reconsidering
  perfect progressive
• has been reconsidering
  perfect progressive

Past

• reconsidered
  simple
• had reconsidered
  perfect
• was reconsidering
  progressive
• were reconsidering
  progressive
• had been reconsidering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will reconsider
  simple
• will have reconsidered
  perfect
• will be reconsidering
  progressive
• will have been reconsidering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of reconsider

First recorded in 1565–75; re- + consider

Explanation

When you reconsider something, you think about it again or in a new way. You might decline your grandfather's invitation to the circus, but then reconsider when you see that Gunther the famous lion tamer is showing up. When you reconsider, you usually end up changing your mind about your initial decision or opinion. Your neighbor might be planning to vote for a candidate you dislike; however, if you do a good enough job arguing in favor of a different candidate, she might reconsider her vote. The Latin root of consider is considerare, "look at closely," or "observe the stars." Reconsider adds the "again" prefix re-.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reconsider reconsiders reconsidered reconsidering

The Chadian foreign minister's official Facebook page posted a statement last week saying the US had pressed the government in Niamey to reconsider its ICC membership.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Deep-diving insect larvae in an African lake are forcing scientists to reconsider a popular explanation for why insects are almost entirely absent from the open ocean.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

Labour MP for Warrington South Sarah Hall told the Commons she wanted the government to encourage US authorities to reconsider the case.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

But last week, the replies were inundated with complaints that Letterboxd had defected to the corporate dark side, along with fearful pleas for the platform’s owners to reconsider.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

So she turned around and brought Ngawang back to the Mountain Madness encampment, she says, “to reconsider my options.”

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

But we hope Dr. Makary reconsiders its therapy and the many others Dr. Prasad has unfairly nixed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 7, 2026

Sunak is an ambassador for the Prostate Cancer Research charity, and made his comments as the UK National Screening Committee reconsiders its 2020 decision not to recommend routine screening.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2025

And he reconsiders how he’d react if he were in James’ shoes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2024

“We hope the federal government reconsiders and allows the fun and informative phrases to continue on Arizona’s highway message signs.”

From Slate ● Jan. 23, 2024

Then he reconsiders and slides his arm around me, pulling me to him.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

Existing theories of satellite formation offer several possible answers, but recent research into stellar magnetic fields suggests that some of those ideas may need to be reconsidered.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

Fast-food chains have struggled to increase sales for years as consumers, navigating rising prices, have reconsidered how they spend on food.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Micron’s valuation is being reconsidered due to a potential memory chip supercycle, despite its low 9.74 times forward earnings.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

Commissioners argued that without a guaranteed water source the project needed to be reconsidered.

From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026

In light of their acceleration toward doom, she had reconsidered.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

“When we’re all sitting there saying, ‘No, that doesn’t gain an unfair advantage,’ then that’s when we have to start reconsidering things back to the spirit of the law.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026

Leo is now reconsidering the role he played in promoting Western immigration to Russia.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

“This argues for reconsidering portfolio allocations that were shaped during the low-yield, low-volatility decade following the global financial crisis,” said the Pimco team.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 13, 2026

Fed governor Stephen Miran said Thursday he is reconsidering his rate cut outlook for the year.

From Barron's ● Apr. 16, 2026

Having made such an analysis of the situation, it was not long before I found myself reconsidering Mr Farraday's kind suggestion of some days ago.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• amend
• reassess
• reevaluate
• reexamine
• rethink
• review
• revise