reconcile - Master This Word

reconcile Word Meanings

• to restore friendly relations
• to make two things compatible
• to settle differences

reconcile Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• They want to reconcile their friendship.
• It is hard to reconcile their different views.
• The couple decided to reconcile after their fight.
• She tried to reconcile the two sides of the story.
• We can reconcile our differences with talks.

reconcile Word Etymology

Reconcile = re- (again) + conciliare (to bring together). Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Picture two friends reconciling by shaking hands, showing they have come together again.

Real Context

Reconcile means to restore friendly relations, to make two things compatible, or to settle differences. It is often used when people or groups have been at odds, and the goal is a peaceable agreement or a practical alignment of ideas, data, or plans. In everyday use, you can reconcile with someone by forgiving and reestablishing trust, or you can reconcile two accounts or two sets of rules so they agree with each other. The word has a formal tone, well suited to diplomacy, business, or legal contexts, but it also appears in personal conversations about mending a relationship or aligning opinions. Common patterns include reconcile with, reconcile A with B, and reconcile differences.

Usage Reminders

• Remember to use reconcile with or reconcile A with B; you can also reconcile differences. Use reconcile for both relationships and data/ideas. It is common in formal contexts like business or law. Distinguish from resolve and settle; they are narrower. In accounting, reconciliation means verifying two sets of records. You may need prepositions like with, to, or between. Avoid using reconcile to mean forgive without reconciliation of a relationship. Practice with personal and professional examples.

Common Misconceptions

• Reconcile always means forgiveness and reconciliation of a personal relationship.
• You can reconcile by simply agreeing to something without adjusting anything else.
• Reconcile is only used for people, not for numbers or data.
• Reconcile and resolve are interchangeable in all contexts.
• To reconcile means to forgive completely without any conditions.

Thinking Differences

In English, reconcile often blends personal forgiveness with practical alignment; it covers social peace as well as data harmony. Learners tend to overemphasize forgiveness, or assume it always means agreeing with no caveats. Remember the structure reconcile with someone, or reconcile A with B, and that you can reconcile differences without full agreement.

Learning Tips

• Learn key collocations: reconcile with, reconcile A with B, reconcile differences.
• Differentiate reconcile from synonyms like resolve or settle.
• Practice both interpersonal and data-related scenarios.
• Notice prepositions (with, between) to use correctly.
• Use past tense and perfect forms when describing completed reconciliations.
• Read and listen to formal and informal contexts to gauge tone.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

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