conciliate

USAGE SUMMARY

"conciliate" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when repairing a damaged relationship or settling a dispute. For example: The leaders attempted to conciliate the two warring nations by establishing open trade between them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We didn't coddle or conciliate with the dictators in Iran".

The Guardian

Or conciliate with the regime in hope that one day a child among these people will lead another Syrian revolution, because our revolution is cursed by God.

The Guardian

He also sought symbolically to conciliate the deep state by meeting police chiefs, while also pleasing revolutionaries by paying his first official visit to the presidential building accompanied by mothers of revolutionary "martyrs".

The Economist

And Macedonia's government should be pressed to conciliate its Albanian-speaking population.

The Economist

The commission also ruled, with Britain in mind, that membership of the exchange-rate mechanism is a precondition for joining the euro.See article: Economics focus on European monetary policySerbia's ruling Socialist Party formed a coalition with extreme nationalists led by Vojislav Seselj, a move unlikely to conciliate Albanians in Kosovo.

The Economist

The conduct of the Queen towards him is also such as to conciliate the good will of all.

The Economist

Mr Chrétien was disappointed to win no public plaudits when (to conciliate Quebec, after its all-but vote for secession in 1995) Ottawa devolved powers in immigration and vocational training to the provinces.

The Economist

Abroad, he is an adept blackmailer: act mad enough to be dangerous; then conciliate for cash.Recently, however, he has made tactical mistakes on both counts.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Managing it involves a familiar two-step, whereby the leadership alternately conciliates and peeves its core constituency, sometimes intentionally.

The Economist

The Palestinians have complied but the Israelis argue that the clock starts ticking only once the two sides actually meet.So Mr Abbas is earnestly pondering the prospect of conciliating Hamas and reuniting the two halves of his severed realm.

The Economist

One was the terrorists, Basque, Maoist and neo-fascist, who could neither be conciliated nor legalised.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conciliate" when you aim to repair damaged relationships or settle disputes through goodwill and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "conciliate" when a stronger action like enforcing rules or taking disciplinary measures is more appropriate. Conciliation is about fostering harmony, not avoiding necessary confrontation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conciliate" is as a verb. It describes the action of attempting to gain goodwill, reduce hostility, or resolve disputes. Ludwig indicates that this word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

40%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig confirms that "conciliate" is a correct and frequently used verb to describe actions taken to reduce hostility and build goodwill. Primarily found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, the word carries a neutral register and aims to foster agreement, but it's essential to consider the context. As Ludwig AI states, it’s best used when the objective is to repair damaged relationships, and it should not be used when a stronger action is required. Alternatives such as "appease", "pacify", or "reconcile" can be used for subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appease

Focuses more on satisfying demands, potentially to avoid conflict.

pacify

Implies calming someone who is agitated or angry.

placate

Similar to "appease", but often involves making concessions.

reconcile

Suggests restoring friendly relations after a disagreement.

mollify

Indicates soothing someone's anger or anxiety.

mediate

Involves intervening in a dispute to reach a settlement.

negotiate

Highlights the discussion and bargaining aspect of reaching an agreement.

arbitrate

Suggests a more formal process of resolving a dispute.

propitiate

Emphasizes winning or regaining the favor of a god, spirit, or person.

win over

Focuses on gaining someone's support or agreement.

FAQs

How to use "conciliate" in a sentence?

You can use "conciliate" to describe actions taken to make someone less angry or hostile, such as: "The mediator attempted to "conciliate the opposing parties" by suggesting a compromise."

What can I say instead of "conciliate"?

You can use alternatives like "appease", "pacify", or "reconcile" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "conciliate" or "reconcile"?

"Conciliate" implies making someone less angry or hostile, while "reconcile" suggests restoring friendly relations after a disagreement. The best choice depends on whether you are aiming to soothe feelings or mend a broken relationship.

What's the difference between "conciliate" and "appease"?

"Conciliate" involves creating goodwill and harmony, whereas "appease" often implies satisfying demands, sometimes at the expense of principles or justice.