1
Restore friendly relations
Bring people or groups back into agreement after conflict or estrangement.
Example
The mediator helped reconcile the two communities after years of dispute.
reconcile
/ˈrɛkənsaɪl/ · REK-uhn-syleverb
Restore agreement or make apparently conflicting things compatible.
Use reconcile when people restore friendly relations, evidence is made consistent, or someone accepts a difficult reality.
What reconcile Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Make evidence compatible
Explain or adjust apparently conflicting measurements, theories, or accounts so they can fit together.
Example
Researchers struggled to reconcile the conflicting measurements.
3
Accept a difficult fact
Come to terms with a reality that cannot be changed, usually in the form reconcile oneself to.
Example
She gradually reconciled herself to the project's cancellation.
Use reconcile Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Researchers struggled to reconcile the conflicting measurements.
The new model attempts to reconcile two theories that previously appeared incompatible.
A facilitated dialogue helped reconcile the former rivals.
Precision Matters
Reconcile overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
reconcile
vs.Often restores harmony or compatibility between two sides.
resolve
Broadly finds a solution or settles a problem.
reconcile
vs.Describes the successful restoration or compatibility.
mediate
Describes intervening between sides to help them reach agreement.
reconcile
vs.Can concern people, evidence, theories, accounts, or acceptance.
harmonise
Brings elements into agreement or pleasing coordination.
reconcile
vs.May explain differences without either side giving something up.
compromise
Usually requires each side to make concessions.
Test reconcile in Context
The model explains how two apparently incompatible theories can both fit the evidence.
1
One theory predicts rapid change while another predicts stability; the new model attempts to ___ them by showing that each applies under different environmental conditions.