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reconciliation

[ rek-uhn-sil-ee-ey-shuhn ]
/ ˌrɛk ənˌsɪl iˈeɪ ʃən /
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See synonyms for reconciliation on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act of reconciling, as when former enemies agree to an amicable truce.
the state of being reconciled, as when someone becomes resigned to something not desired.
the process of making consistent or compatible.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
their
there
they're
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Origin of reconciliation

1300–50; Middle English reconsiliacion<Latin reconciliātiōn- (stem of reconciliātiō), equivalent to reconciliāt(us) (see reconcile, -ate1) + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM reconciliation

non·rec·on·cil·i·a·tion, nounpre·rec·on·cil·i·a·tion, nounpro·rec·on·cil·i·a·tion, adjective

Words nearby reconciliation

recon, reconcentration, reconcilable, reconcile, reconciliate, reconciliation, reconciliatory, recondite, recondition, reconfigure, reconfirm
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

VOCAB BUILDER

What does reconciliation mean?

Reconciliation is the process of two people or groups in a conflict agreeing to make amends or come to a truce.

Reconciliation is also the name of a Catholic sacrament involving the confession of sin. Less commonly, reconciliation refers to when someone accepts an undesirable situation, or to the process of making things compatible.

Example: After years of conflict, the two parties have agreed to meet with the goal of reconciliation.

Where does reconciliation come from?

The first records of the word reconciliation come from the 1300s. It is the noun form of the verb reconcile, which comes from the Latin reconciliāre, meaning “to make good again” or “to repair.”

Reconciliation is meant to repair relationships that are broken. It can happen between two people, such as former friends who had a falling-out. Or it can happen between groups, such as warring factions in a country. Reconciliation is usually thought to create more than just a truce. When true reconciliation occurs, the two formerly hostile sides become respectful of each other—and, ideally, friends.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Reconciliation is the name of a sacrament in which people confess their sins—a process popularly known as confession. It is sometimes also called Penance.

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What are some other forms related to reconciliation?

  • reconcile (verb)
  • nonreconciliation (noun)
  • prereconcilition (noun)
  • proreconciliation (adjective)

What are some synonyms for reconciliation?

What are some words that share a root or word element with reconciliation? 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing reconciliation?

 

How is reconciliation used in real life?

Reconciliation is typically used in the context of two parties that have a serious, longstanding dispute, and it’s usually considered a slow, difficult process. It’s also commonly used as the name of the Catholic sacrament also known as confession.

 

 

Try using reconciliation!

True or false? 

Reconciliation is the same as an apology.

Words related to reconciliation

rapprochement, accord, agreement, compromise, harmony, settlement

Example sentences from the Web for reconciliation

British Dictionary definitions for reconciliation

Reconciliation
/ (ˌrɛkənˌsɪlɪˈeɪʃən) /

noun

RC Church a sacrament in which repentant sinners are absolved and gain reconciliation with God and the Church, on condition of confession of their sins to a priest and of performing a penance
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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