reconcile

verb

rec·on·cile | \ ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l

reconciled; reconciling

Definition of reconcile

transitive verb

1a : 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

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

b : to account for

intransitive verb

: to become reconciled

Other Words from reconcile Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about reconcile

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Other Words from reconcile

reconcilability \ ˌre-kən-ˌsī-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

reconcilable \ ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl

, ˈre-kən-ˌsī- \ adjective

reconcilement \ ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l-mənt

\ noun

reconciler noun

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

Solving the dilemma Ahmed’s government faces a difficult dilemma trying to reconcile the voices in support of the country’s federal arrangement versus those who perceive it as a threat to their group, and the nation. — Yohannes Gedamu, Quartz Africa, "The underlying tension behind Ethiopia’s flawed federal system and its risks," 26 June 2019 But there are ways into these stories that reveal the distance people travel in their journey trying to reconcile. — The Christian Science Monitor, "When decisions feel beyond our control," 10 June 2019 Mugabe backed an opposition party against Mnangagwa's in the 2018 presidential elections, but the leaders have reconciled, according to Mugabe's wife, Grace, owing to his administration's support for the Mugabes. — Bukola Adebayo, CNN, "Ex-Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is still under observation after 4 months at a Singapore hospital," 6 Aug. 2019 The different tolls could not immediately be reconciled. — Washington Post, "Afghan official: Taliban strike police checkpoint, kill 10," 3 Aug. 2019 While the House of Representatives and Senate made separate apologies for slavery in 2008 and 2009, these apologies were never reconciled or signed by President Barack Obama, due to lack of political support. — Bernd Reiter, Quartz, "What US slavery reparations and post-Holocaust Germany have in common," 2 Aug. 2019 Both chambers now must reconcile the differences between the two versions before the final text is sent to the president to sign into law. — Josefin Dolsten, sun-sentinel.com, "Parents of Jewish Army veteran who committed suicide still fighting for change," 31 July 2019 Kardashian and Thompson reconciled after the first cheating scandal, but broke up earlier this year amid another cheating scandal involving Jordyn Woods. — Ashley Boucher, PEOPLE.com, "Tristan Thompson Denies Cheating on the Mother of His Son with Khloé Kardashian," 31 July 2019 Earlier this month, Seth Rollins and Will Ospreay reconciled from their Twitter exchange. — Justin Barrasso, SI.com, "The Week in Wrestling: Ring Veteran Savio Vega Ready to Make His Mark on MLW," 24 July 2019

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.

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Last Updated

6 Sep 2019

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Time Traveler for reconcile

The first known use of reconcile was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for reconcile

reconcile

verb

English Language Learners Definition of reconcile

formal

: 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

See the full definition for reconcile in the English Language Learners Dictionary

reconcile

verb

rec·on·cile | \ ˈre-kən-ˌsīl

reconciled; reconciling

Kids Definition of reconcile

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.

reconcile

verb

rec·on·cile | \ ˈre-kən-ˌsīl

reconciled; reconciling

Legal Definition of reconcile

transitive verb

1a : to restore to harmony reconciled the parties reconciled the marriage

b : to bring to resolution reconcile differences

2a : 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 denied the complaint for divorce because the parties had reconciled

Other Words from reconcile

reconcilability \ ˌre-kən-ˌsī-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

reconcilable \ ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl

\ adjective

reconcilement noun

reconciliation \ ˌre-kən-ˌsi-lē-ˈā-shən

\ noun

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