reconcile

American  

[rek-uhn-sahyl] / ˈrɛk ənˌsaɪl /

verb (used with object)

reconciled, reconciling

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.

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verb (used without object)

reconciled, reconciling

1. to become reconciled.

reconcile British  

/ ˈrɛkənˌsaɪl, -trɪ, ˌrɛkənˌsɪlɪˈeɪʃən, ˌrɛkənˈsɪlɪətərɪ /

verb

1. 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)

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• prereconcile verb (used with object)
• prereconcilement noun
• quasi-reconciled adjective
• reconcilement noun
• reconciler noun
• reconciliation noun
• reconciliatory adjective
• reconcilingly adverb
• unreconciled adjective
• unreconciling adjective

Etymology

Origin of reconcile

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 )

Explanation

Reach for the verb reconcile to make different things come together or resolve a matter. If you've ever had an argument with someone and then made up, you have reconciled. Reconcile is a verb that can mean "to become resigned" like if you're reconciled to getting the bottom bunk when you wanted the top. It also means to "bring into agreement and harmony." Words like it are pacify, harmonize, and accommodate — reconcile is definitely an agreeable word!

Example Sentences

"With this comprehensive picture, we are finally able to reconcile many previously conflicting observations about lead-halide perovskites, resolving a long-standing debate about the source of their superior energy-harvesting efficiency," says Rak.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

While federal officials declined to comment on the claim itself, some stressed that Phillips’ work record is otherwise standard, leaving observers to reconcile the unusual story with his professional background.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

“If one — literally one — person reads this book and picks up the phone and calls their dad and wants to reconcile, then the whole thing was worth it,” Landon Donovan said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

The witness told the court that on 30 December 2019 she had been at McCullagh's home "trying to reconcile" after a break in their relationship.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

A friend once asked me how I could reconcile my creed of African nationalism with a belief in dialectical materialism.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

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