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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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 An engaged couple must reconcile their warring mothers. — Sanjena Sathian, The New Yorker, "“Family Karma” Might Be a Breakthrough for Desis on TV," 10 Mar. 2020 His beginnings were rooted in a sharply divided American culture, and reconciling these divisions was one source of his artistic restlessness. — Sarah Elizabeth Lewis, The New York Review of Books, "Romare Bearden: Assembling America," 28 Jan. 2020 London will assist in accurately reporting CMA’s financial standing, a job that includes preparing CMA’s financial reports, reviewing, reconciling and assisting with the annual budget process and ensuring internal controls are followed. — Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, "Executive Turntable: Moves at Warner Chappell, Collective Artist Management & More," 20 Dec. 2019 Since the filming of the show, Williams and McKinley have reconciled and even got re-engaged. — Maria Yagoda, PEOPLE.com, "Porsha Williams, Chrissy Teigen & More Stars Who've Opened Up About Their Struggles with Postpartum Depression," 16 Dec. 2019 The person most responsible for reconciling the differences and getting the series restored in 1912 was a cigar-manufacturing czar in Albany named Billy Eagles. — oregonlive, "Canzano: 123 Civil War football facts you need to know, if you don’t already," 27 Nov. 2019 More people claim ties to Cherokee than any other tribe, according to the U.S. census, which doesn’t reconcile figures with tribal enrollment offices. — Washington Post, "Warren still dogged by past claims of indigenous ancestry," 28 Feb. 2020 Then, once actual figures start to arrive, the Legislature and governor agree on a document that reconciles the difference between the plan and what is actually needed. — James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska House approves $299 million supplemental budget that would keep Medicaid running," 27 Feb. 2020 After the versions are reconciled, the bill will head to President Trump’s desk. — Dustin Gardiner, SFChronicle.com, "Kamala Harris’ anti-lynching effort close to Trump’s desk," 26 Feb. 2020

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

21 Mar 2020

Cite this Entry

“Reconcile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconcile. Accessed 3 Apr. 2020.

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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