reconcile

verb rec·on·cile \ ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

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

This light overall weight allows players of varying skill levels to dive in, gradually reconciling the different ways each phase of the game intersects with the others.

— charlie theel, Ars Technica, "Dinosaur Island review: Get Jurassic on your theme park!," 14 Apr. 2018
Fallon too had learned to reconcile his own musical tastes.

— dan hyman, chicagotribune.com, "Ex-Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon tortured no longer," 12 Apr. 2018
Conference committees — groups of negotiators from the Senate and House — are expected to meet to reconcile different versions of two significant gun bills.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Crime, guns are among unresolved issues on final day of Maryland's legislative session," 9 Apr. 2018
Sometimes, delaying a wedding is the best thing to do while couples reconcile painful concerns.

— marissa miller, Vogue, "So You Might Want to Call Off Your Wedding—Now What?," 8 Apr. 2018
If the martial problems of those close to Trump isn’t proof enough of his toxicity, then the ability to reconcile after being pushed away from him is.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "Within Trump’s Orbit, Divorce Is the Hot New Trend," 5 Apr. 2018
Starting over in the South When Cheol Kwang and Kwon arrived in South Korea, one of their first challenges was to reconcile what they had been taught with what was actually true.

— NBC News, "They escaped Kim Jong Un. Now these young North Korean defectors just want to grow up.," 30 Mar. 2018
Have Lil Wayne and Birdman finally reconciled their broken relationship?

— michael saponara, Billboard, "Birdman Posts New Photo With Lil Wayne on Instagram: 'Me and My Son'," 26 Mar. 2018
The committee's role is to reconcile changes made in the House and Senate.

— meredith colias-pete, Post-Tribune, "Lawmakers decry bill shrinking Gary School Board's role," 12 Mar. 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