reconcile
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To restore friendly relations between people or groups; to cause someone to accept something unwelcome or unpleasant.
To make two apparently conflicting things (e.g., ideas, beliefs, statements, accounts) compatible or consistent with each other.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb typically implies overcoming a prior disagreement, conflict, or incompatibility. It can describe both interpersonal relationships and abstract/logical harmonization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slight preference for 'reconcile with' in British English for personal relationships, but both variants are used interchangeably in both dialects.
Connotations
Equally formal in both dialects. Slightly more common in legal and financial contexts (e.g., 'reconcile accounts').
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reconcile A with Breconcile oneself to somethingbe reconciled with someonereconcile accounts/statementsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “reconcile oneself to one's fate”
- “a bitter pill to swallow (related to 'reconcile oneself to')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To check financial records against each other to ensure they match ('reconcile the bank statement').
Academic
To harmonize contradictory theories or data findings.
Everyday
To make up after an argument with a friend or family member.
Technical
In data management, to synchronize or align datasets from different sources.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They managed to reconcile their differences after a long chat.
- Can you reconcile this expenditure with the company's budget?
American English
- He's trying to reconcile with his brother after the fight.
- The accountant needs to reconcile the statements by Friday.
adverb
British English
- He spoke reconcilably about the past conflict.
- She nodded reconcilably, accepting the outcome.
American English
- They agreed reconcilably to the new terms.
- He smiled reconcilably, letting the matter go.
adjective
British English
- They are now a reconciled couple.
- The reconciled figures were presented to the board.
American English
- After therapy, they seemed reconciled.
- A reconciled version of the data is available.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The two friends reconciled after their argument.
- It's hard to reconcile what he says with what he does.
- She struggled to reconcile her religious beliefs with scientific evidence.
- The opposing factions were finally reconciled by a neutral mediator.
- One must reconcile oneself to the inevitable shortcomings of any political system.
- The auditor's primary task is to reconcile the discrepancies in the transactional records.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE-CON-CILE' as in bringing people back (RE) together in a CONcilatory way to SMILE (sounds like 'cile').
Conceptual Metaphor
BRIDGING A GAP / MENDING A TORN FABRIC / BALANCING THE BOOKS
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'примирить' in all contexts; for abstract compatibility, use 'согласовать'.
- Don't confuse with 'восстановить' (to restore physically).
- The phrase 'reconcile oneself to' is a set structure meaning 'смириться с'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'reconcile to someone' (correct: 'reconcile with someone').
- Using it for simple agreement without prior conflict: 'I reconcile with your idea.' (Incorrect).
- Spelling: 'reconciliate' is not a standard verb.
Practice
Quiz
In a financial context, what does it mean to 'reconcile accounts'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Reconcile with' is used for people/groups (reconcile with a friend). 'Reconcile to' is used for accepting an unpleasant situation (reconcile oneself to a fact).
It is neutral to formal. It's common in professional and academic contexts. In casual speech, 'make up' or 'patch things up' are more common for personal relationships.
Yes, a primary use is for abstract concepts: reconciling ideas, conflicting data, or financial accounts.
The main noun forms are 'reconciliation' (the act/process) and 'reconcilement' (less common, same meaning).