reconcile

verb

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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. businesses accommodating themselves to the new political reality 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 In California, where masks remain recommended, the authorities are looking to reconcile the clash of cues. — Matt Richtel, New York Times, "Mask On or Off? Life Is Getting Back to Normal, and We’re Rusty.," 29 Apr. 2021 Gazelka has since said that a conference committee to reconcile the competing House and Senate public safety proposals will be the next forum for a debate on police accountability. — Stephen Montemayor, Star Tribune, "Gov. Tim Walz, Democrats: policing laws a top priority of session's final weeks," 29 Apr. 2021 For those who can reconcile the many questions required of prospective franchisors, a new standard for growth could be just around the corner. — Sean Manning, Forbes, "Will Your Business Make A Successful Franchise?," 27 Apr. 2021 That ambiguity is at the heart of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s story, which centers on a ballerina who struggles to reconcile her need to pursue her artistic gifts with her desire for happiness. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, "The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars," 27 Apr. 2021 And the responsibility—or perhaps the blame—for the inability to reconcile these differences lies with Kennedy. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Blame Anthony Kennedy for the Supreme Court’s Mangled Ruling on Juvenile Life Without Parole," 23 Apr. 2021 To provide clarity, some investors want the FASB to require companies to reconcile their pretax income under GAAP to the taxable income on their tax return. — Mark Maurer, WSJ, "Tax Bills May Go Up for Big Companies. It Will Be Hard to Tell How Much.," 20 Apr. 2021 While this verdict will not bring back George Floyd, our communities are made stronger and can better reconcile when justice prevails and when accountability advances. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah leaders and groups react to guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin trial," 20 Apr. 2021 The work could help reconcile two sides of an ongoing debate about whether short-term memories are maintained through constant, persistent representations or through dynamic neural codes that change over time. — Quanta Magazine, "The Brain ‘Rotates’ Memories to Save Them From New Sensations," 15 Apr. 2021

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

11 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Reconcile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconcile. Accessed 12 May. 2021.

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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