reconcile

verb rec·on·cile \ ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 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 belated efforts to reconcile with Indigenous people have been championed by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

— dan bilefsky, New York Times, "Protests Shutter a Show That Cast White Singers as Black Slaves," 4 July 2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has pushed the United States and North Korea to reconcile their differences and would likely support the offer.

— jim michaels, USA TODAY, "U.S. will suspend military drills with South Korea. But they can be restarted quickly," 12 June 2018
But by turning from our sin and trusting fully in Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven and reconciled to our creator.

— monique judge, The Root, "From IDGAF to ‘Y’all Hiring?’ CrossFit Exec Fired for Homophobic Tweets [Updated]," 8 June 2018
After greeting Trump with near-uniform revulsion, conservative intellectuals have mostly swallowed their doubts and reconciled to the new party leader.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "The Gangster Morality of Anti-Anti-Trumpism," 30 May 2018
The two men reconciled in 2016, united by their resolve to oust Najib.

— Fox News, "Stunning fall of Malaysia's Najib ushers in hopes of reform," 23 May 2018
The two men reconciled in 2016, united by their resolve to oust Najib.

— eileen ng, The Christian Science Monitor, "New Malaysian government offers hope for simmering ethnic tensions," 23 May 2018
Back then Fleury was still balancing an emotional departure from Pittsburgh with his arrival in Las Vegas, still reconciling memories formed over 12 seasons there with an intoxicating future backstopping the NHL expansion franchise here.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Golden Knights Players Making the Most of Their Second Chance With Vegas," 8 Feb. 2018
Even now, with three months of hindsight, Alysia and Dean struggle to reconcile Alexandra’s outer and inner lives.

— mark arsenault, BostonGlobe.com, "Secrets of a Lost Girl," 24 June 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