reconsider
Americanverb (used with object)
-
reconsiders,
present (3rd person singular)
-
reconsidered,
past participle, past
-
reconsidering
present participle
-
to consider again, especially with a view to change of decision or action.
to reconsider a refusal.
- Synonyms:
- reevaluate, reexamine, review, rethink
-
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.
verb (used without object)
-
reconsiders,
present (3rd person singular)
-
reconsidered,
past participle, past
-
reconsidering
present participle
verb
-
to consider (something) again, with a view to changing one's policy or course of action
-
(in a legislative assembly or similar body) to consider again (a bill or other matter) that has already been voted upon
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
reconsidersimple
-
reconsiderssimple
-
have reconsideredperfect
-
has reconsideredperfect
-
am reconsideringprogressive
-
are reconsideringprogressive
-
is reconsideringprogressive
-
have been reconsideringperfect progressive
-
has been reconsideringperfect progressive
Past
-
reconsideredsimple
-
had reconsideredperfect
-
was reconsideringprogressive
-
were reconsideringprogressive
-
had been reconsideringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of reconsider
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-.
Vocabulary lists containing reconsider
re-
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re-
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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.
See Examples For:
"Recent fossil discoveries and advances in evolutionary and genetic analysis make this an ideal time to reconsider whether our traditional taxonomy still accurately reflects human evolution," Dr. Towle said.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
Seabright denied a motion by the federal public defender’s office to reconsider his ruling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
The deal’s collapse and resulting burst of violence led the administration to reconsider its approach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
Based on the results, the research team says public health organizations may need to reconsider recommendations that broadly target sweet-tasting foods as part of efforts to address overweight and obesity.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 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
Oil futures extended their rally with Brent rising for a fifth straight session as the market reconsiders reports of progress toward an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
His comments come as the UK National Screening Committee reconsiders its decision from five years ago not to recommend routine screening.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2025
“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
The new study reconsiders population growth and policy options and explores scenarios that dramatically increase earlier estimates, demonstrating that the world's environment has already changed significantly.
From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2023
Then he reconsiders and slides his arm around me, pulling me to him.
From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
“If Clarity takes an August recess, it could be reconsidered in September. But we think its chances would decline meaningfully,” Capital Alpha’s Katz said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
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
After consulting with his advisers, the Saudi crown prince told Trump that the effort was going to antagonize Iran and that it should be reconsidered, according to people familiar with the conversations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 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
“I have reconsidered my position. Clearly, a guidebook written by looking through a window simply will not work. Instead, I propose we go outdoors and observe the birds in their natural habitat, so to speak.”
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Abend, a family office executive in New York, is one of many who are reconsidering their fight against forehead lines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
It could break out as the Spotify alternative for serious music fans reconsidering their culture dollars.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 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
Harriet White, who farms near Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, said her family was also reconsidering every penny they spend, including their young son's nursery fees.
From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2026
I’m sweating and nervous and reconsidering the last sixteen years.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
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.
