Reconcile: meaning, definitions and examples

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reconcile

 

[ ˈrɛk.ən.saɪl ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in relationships

Restore friendly relations between.

Synonyms

mend, patch up, resolve, settle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reconcile

Suitable for formal situations or when dealing with relationships and ensuring harmony after a disagreement. Often used in personal and professional contexts.

  • After their argument, they decided to reconcile and rebuild their friendship.
  • The two companies worked hard to reconcile their differences and merge successfully.
settle

Frequently used in both formal and informal settings, generally referring to bringing a state of calm or agreeing on a solution, often used legally and financially.

  • They settled their dispute through negotiation, avoiding a court battle.
  • He decided to settle the debt by the end of the month.
resolve

Perfect for both formal and informal situations when dealing with problems, disputes, or conflicts and finding a clear solution.

  • They worked together to resolve the issues in their project.
  • She hoped to resolve the argument with her friend before it got worse.
mend

Appropriate for informal settings and situations involving physical repairs or fixing emotional relationships.

  • He managed to mend the broken vase with some glue.
  • She hopes to mend her relationship with her sister after years of misunderstandings.
patch up

Best used in informal contexts, often implying a quick and not necessarily thorough resolution to a problem or disagreement.

  • They had a big fight, but managed to patch things up before the event.
  • He patched up the hole in his jeans with a piece of fabric.

Examples of usage

  • He wanted to be reconciled with his father.
  • They were reconciled to each other.
Context #2 | Verb

in accounting

Make (one account) consistent with another, especially by allowing for transactions begun but not yet completed.

Synonyms

adjust, align, balance, harmonize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reconcile

Use this word when bringing two conflicting or differing elements into agreement, especially in relationships or financial accounting.

  • They needed to reconcile their differences to move forward
  • He reconciled the company's accounts with the bank statements
balance

Use this word when talking about keeping things in even proportion, especially in financial contexts or life situations.

  • It's challenging to balance work and family life
  • He needs to balance the budget before the end of the fiscal year
adjust

This word is suitable for small changes or modifications to make something more accurate or to fit a particular standard.

  • She had to adjust her new dress to fit perfectly
  • The engineer adjusted the settings for better performance
harmonize

This word is best used when making things work together in a pleasing or efficient way, often used in musical or social contexts.

  • They need to harmonize their voices for a better performance
  • The new policies should harmonize with existing regulations
align

This word is ideal for situations where things need to be lined up or brought into a proper position relative to each other.

  • Make sure to align the edges of the papers before stapling
  • The team needs to align their goals with the company's objectives

Examples of usage

  • The figures failed to reconcile.

Translations

Translations of the word "reconcile" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reconciliar

🇮🇳 समझौता करना

🇩🇪 versöhnen

🇮🇩 mendamaikan

🇺🇦 примиритися

🇵🇱 pogodzić

🇯🇵 和解する (wakai suru)

🇫🇷 réconcilier

🇪🇸 reconciliar

🇹🇷 uzlaştırmak

🇰🇷 화해하다 (hwahaehada)

🇸🇦 التوفيق بين (altafiq bayn)

🇨🇿 smířit

🇸🇰 zmieriť

🇨🇳 调解 (tiáojiě)

🇸🇮 spraviti

🇮🇸 sætta

🇰🇿 келіспеу

🇬🇪 შერიგება

🇦🇿 barışmaq

🇲🇽 reconciliar

Etymology

The word 'reconcile' originated from the Latin word 'reconciliare', which means 'to bring together again'. The term has been used in various contexts throughout history, including relationships, accounting, and religion. In relationships, 'reconcile' is often associated with resolving conflicts and restoring harmony. In accounting, it refers to ensuring that financial records match up. Overall, 'reconcile' conveys the idea of bringing things into agreement or alignment.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,527 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.