reconcile

verb rec·on·cile \ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l\

: to find a way of making (two different ideas, facts, etc.) exist or be true at the same time

: to cause people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement

rec·on·ciledrec·on·cil·ing

Full Definition of RECONCILE

transitive verb

a : to restore to friendship or harmony <reconciled the factions>

b : settle, resolve <reconcile differences>

: to make consistent or congruous <reconcile an ideal with reality>

: to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant <was reconciled to hardship>

a : to check (a financial account) against another for accuracy

b : to account for

intransitive verb

: to become reconciled

— rec·on·cil·abil·i·ty \ˌre-kən-ˌsī-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— rec·on·cil·able \ˌre-kən-ˈsī-lə-bəl, ˈre-kən-ˌ\ adjective

— rec·on·cile·ment \ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l-mənt\ noun

— rec·on·cil·er noun

See reconcile defined for English-language learners

See reconcile defined for kids

Examples of RECONCILE

She and Eddie had separated and reconciled so many times the children had lost track of whose clothes were where. —John Grisham, The Chamber, 1995
He thought they might reconcile the Parisians to his daring design by reminding them of the familiar arches of their bridges. —Mario Salvadori, Why Buildings Stand Up, 1990
By exposing the comic-pathetic quality of the human condition, it temporarily reconciles us to that condition without creating in us complacence, lethargy, or any negative emotion. —Clifton Fadiman, Center Magazine, January-February 1971
It is a function of architecture to reconcile technology with human cussedness, to make the mechanics of life endurable … —Russell Lynes, Harper's, October 1968
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Origin of RECONCILE

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French reconciler, from Latin reconciliare, from re- + conciliare to conciliate

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RECONCILE

Synonyms: accommodate, attune, conciliate, conform, coordinate, key, harmonize

Antonyms: disharmonize

Synonym Discussion of RECONCILE

adapt, adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another. adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances <adapted themselves to the warmer climate>. adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism <adjusted the budget to allow for inflation>. accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence <accommodated his political beliefs in order to win>. conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle <refused to conform to society's values>. reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible <tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew>.