reconcile

verb rec·on·cile \ ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: reconcile in a Sentence

Definition of reconcile

reconciled; reconciling

transitive verb

1 a : to restore to friendship or harmony

reconciled the factions

b : settle, resolve

reconcile differences

2 : to make consistent or congruous

reconcile an ideal with reality

3 : to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant

was reconciled to hardship

4 a : to check (a financial account) against another for accuracy

b : to account for

intransitive verb

: to become reconciled

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reconcilability

play \ˌre-kən-ˌsī-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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reconcilable

play \ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl, ˈre-kən-ˌsī-\ adjective

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reconcilement

play \ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l-mənt\ noun

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reconciler

noun

See reconcile defined for English-language learners

See reconcile defined for kids

reconcile was our Word of the Day on 09/24/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of reconcile in a Sentence

She and Eddie had separated and reconciled so many times the children had lost track of whose clothes were where. —John Grisham, The Chamber, 1995
He thought they might reconcile the Parisians to his daring design by reminding them of the familiar arches of their bridges. —Mario Salvadori, Why Buildings Stand Up, 1990
By exposing the comic-pathetic quality of the human condition, it temporarily reconciles us to that condition without creating in us complacence, lethargy, or any negative emotion. —Clifton Fadiman, Center Magazine, January-February 1971
It is a function of architecture to reconcile technology with human cussedness, to make the mechanics of life endurable … —Russell Lynes, Harper's, October 1968
It can be difficult to reconcile your ideals with reality.
historians have never been able to reconcile the two eyewitness accounts of the battle

Recent Examples of reconcile from the Web

The real question, at least for me, is how, as a fan or chronicler, to reconcile that disturbing knowledge with the primordial pleasure that such hits arouse within us.

— larry stone, The Seattle Times, "Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor’s departure elicits feelings of admiration, guilt," 3 July 2018
But the lopsided vote belied the challenges that may await when lawmakers meet later this summer to reconcile the gaping differences between the House and Senate bills.

— caitlin dewey, chicagotribune.com, "Senate passes sweeping farm bill by wide margin, setting up fight with House," 29 June 2018
But the bill faces challenges when lawmakers meet later this summer to reconcile gaping differences between the House and Senate bills.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Abortion is already emerging as a top issue in the midterms with Supreme Court vacancy," 29 June 2018
What’s unclear is how the two bills will be reconciled before going to the President and before the current farm bill expires in September.

— tara duggan, SFChronicle.com, "House Republicans propose sweeping cuts to food stamps with passage of 2018 Farm Bill," 21 June 2018
Going forward, Congress has two options: The House can simply pass the Senate’s bill or the two chambers can enter into a conference committee to reconcile the differences, a step in the process that would enable the House to make changes.

— NBC News, "Showdown brewing between House and Senate on sexual harassment bill," 24 May 2018
The White House is expected to issue additional guidance Monday that could help reconcile any differences.

— stephen koff, cleveland.com, "If your mortgage was underwater in 2017, Congress may have just provided help: a Q&A on the big budget bill," 9 Feb. 2018
According to reports, Odom was hoping to reconcile with Kardashian, who is now dating Tristan Thompson.

— jennifer earl, Fox News, "Lamar Odom on moving to China: 'It’s a huge step for me'," 13 July 2018
Reporting by Gary Trock and Mike Walters of The Blast confirms through a conversation with a representative of McCoy that McCoy and Cordon had reconciled after the 2017 filing and that McCoy’s legal action was dropped.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Potential Legal Ramifications of the Disturbing Accusations Against LeSean McCoy," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reconcile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of reconcile

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French reconciler, from Latin reconciliare, from re- + conciliare to conciliate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

reconcile Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of reconcile

adapt, adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another. adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

- adapted themselves to the warmer climate

adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

- adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

- accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

- refused to conform to society's values

reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

- tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

RECONCILE Defined for English Language Learners

reconcile

verb

Definition of reconcile for English Language Learners

: to find a way of making (two different ideas, facts, etc.) exist or be true at the same time
: to cause people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement

RECONCILE Defined for Kids

reconcile

verb rec·on·cile \ ˈre-kən-ˌsīl \

Definition of reconcile for Students

reconciled; reconciling

1 : to make friendly again

She helped to reconcile friends who had been quarreling.

2 : to settle by agreement : adjust

You'll have to reconcile your differences.

3 : to make agree

His story cannot be reconciled with the facts.

4 : to cause to give in or accept

I reconciled myself to the loss.

Law Dictionary

reconcile

verb rec·on·cile \ ˈre-kən-ˌsīl \

legal Definition of reconcile

reconciled; reconciling

transitive verb

1 a : to restore to harmony

reconciled the parties

reconciled the marriage

b : to bring to resolution

reconcile differences

2 a : to check (a financial account) against another for accuracy

b : to account for

intransitive verb

: to become reconciled; specifically : to voluntarily resume cohabitation as spouses prior to a divorce becoming final with the mutual intention of remaining together and reestablishing a harmonious relationship