reconsider
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to consider again, especially with a view to change of decision or action.
to reconsider a refusal.
- Synonyms:
- reevaluate, reexamine, review, rethink
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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)
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
- reconsideration noun
- unreconsidered adjective
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.
The controversy ultimately forced newsrooms across the country to reconsider not just whether they should cover such figures, but how.
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026
A federal judge denied the Justice Department’s request to reconsider his decision to quash a pair of subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve, rejecting the government’s arguments in a sharply worded six-page opinion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
I’ve been noticing how expensive live entertainment has become lately, and it’s made me reconsider how much I’m spending on experiences.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026
Cran said it could reconsider its decision either "on its own motion or on a petition filed by an aggrieved party" within 90 days.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
I wasn’t so sure about that, but the way Sam said it, the low burn beneath her words, made me reconsider.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
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.
