reconciliate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, slightly archaic or literary
Quick answer
What does “reconciliate” mean?
To restore friendly relations between.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To restore friendly relations between; to settle or resolve a dispute; to cause to accept or be resigned to something unwelcome.
To bring into harmony or agreement; to make compatible or consistent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is rare in both varieties.
Connotations
May sound slightly more archaic or deliberate in British English. In American English, it is almost exclusively found in formal or legalistic writing.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. 'Reconcile' is the standard form in all contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “reconciliate” in a Sentence
[Subject] reconciliate [Object][Subject] reconciliate [Indirect Object] with [Direct Object][Subject] reconciliate [two parties/ideas]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reconciliate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The mediator's primary goal was to reconciliate the warring factions.
- After the quarrel, he made no effort to reconciliate with his neighbour.
American English
- The court appointed a specialist to reconciliate the two companies in the antitrust case.
- Her speech sought to reconciliate the differing political viewpoints within the party.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in formal documents describing dispute resolution between companies or departments.
Academic
Very rare. Found in older philosophical or historical texts discussing conflict resolution.
Everyday
Virtually never used. 'Make up' or 'sort it out' are common alternatives.
Technical
Occasional use in formal legal contexts pertaining to arbitration or settlement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reconciliate”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reconciliate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reconciliate”
- Using 'reconciliate' in casual speech where 'reconcile' is expected. Spelling errors: 'reconsiliate', 'reconcilliate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a valid but rare verb, listed in major dictionaries. It is formed from the same Latin root as 'reconcile'.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Reconcile' is the standard, vastly more common term. 'Reconciliate' is a rare, often formal or literary variant.
For almost all purposes, you should use 'reconcile'. Using 'reconciliate' may seem archaic, overly formal, or even like an error to many readers.
Yes. 'Reconciliatory' is the adjective form (meaning 'intended to reconcile'), and it is commonly used, unlike the verb 'reconciliate'.
To restore friendly relations between.
Reconciliate is usually formal, slightly archaic or literary in register.
Reconciliate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛkənˈsɪlɪeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛkənˈsɪliˌeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To bury the hatchet”
- “To mend fences”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'reconciliate' as a longer, more formal version of 'reconcile'. The '-ciliate' part sounds like 'silly ate' – 'It's silly to let a dispute eat away at a friendship, so reconciliate.'
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIPS ARE CONNECTIONS (to re-connect broken ties). CONFLICT IS A BURDEN (to lift the burden of disagreement).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate context for using the verb 'reconciliate'?