conciliatory

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "conciliatory" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an appeasing or reconciliatory action or attitude intended to make peace. Example sentence: The diplomatic team employed a conciliatory approach to resolve the territorial dispute.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Le Pen family feud is a battle for the soul of the Front National – and France In an interview with the centre-right Le Figaro newspaper on Monday, Le Pen, who had threatened to leave the political ring "only at the end of the bout, whether victor or vanquished", seemed almost conciliatory as he said he would withdraw his candidature to avoid further damage to the party.

The Guardian

But, Abu Ahmed recalled, the jailers had a very different impression of Baghdadi – they saw him as a conciliatory and calming influence in an environment short on certainty, and turned to him to help resolve conflicts among the inmates.

The Guardian

It walked out of negotiations with NHS Employers about the contractual implications of seven-day working last October, although it has since made conciliatory noises about resuming discussions.

The Guardian

Realising he wasn't making quite the positive impression he had intended, Chilcot tried to end on a conciliatory note.

The Guardian

But Mr Murphy is going to have to be magnanimous and, to a degree, conciliatory too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps we should look to reducing the bear-pit atmosphere in our politics by adopting the more conciliatory arrangements of some of our European neighbours.

The Guardian

While the IMF was refusing to compromise on labour deregulation and pension reform but was relaxed on fiscal demands, the EU was insistent that primary surplus targets be met while being much more conciliatory about structural changes.

The Guardian

But hardliners, who are strongly opposed to such conciliatory moves, have not remained quiet.

The Guardian

After months of negotiations failing to make headway, Monday's announcement was, however, seen as a conciliatory move.

The Guardian

However, Obama's administration should be praised for at least reframing the rhetoric and ideological vision of America's intentions in the Middle East, away from the archaic and reactionary "us versus them" posturing to a more inclusive, conciliatory partnership fostered by mutual interests.

The Guardian - Opinion

Xi has appeared conciliatory in public, telling the state news agency Xinhua on Monday that the new trade liberalisation plan "does not go against existing free trade arrangements which are potential pathways to realise FTAAP's goals".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conciliatory" to describe actions or statements intended to build bridges and reduce conflict. It suggests a proactive approach to finding common ground.

Common error

Avoid using "conciliatory" when only one party makes all the concessions. True conciliation requires a mutual willingness to compromise and find a middle ground.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "conciliatory" describes a quality or characteristic of someone or something that aims to reconcile or appease. It modifies nouns, indicating a willingness to compromise or make concessions to resolve conflict.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conciliatory" is a versatile adjective used to describe actions or attitudes intended to make peace and resolve conflicts. As Ludwig AI points out, the term is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. When using "conciliatory", it's important to ensure that a mutual willingness to compromise exists. Alternatives include "appeasing", "reconciliatory", and "compromising", each with slightly different nuances. Remember to use "conciliatory" when you want to convey a proactive and balanced approach to resolving disputes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reconciliatory

Highlights the act of restoring friendly relations.

compromising

Stresses the willingness to make concessions to reach an agreement.

appeasing

Focuses on pacifying or relieving discontent, often implying a yielding of demands.

pacifying

Focuses on bringing about a state of calm or peace.

placatory

Emphasizes soothing or calming anger or hostility.

mollifying

Suggests softening or reducing the intensity of something.

mediatory

Relates to acting as an intermediary to resolve disputes.

peacemaking

Implies active involvement in bringing about peace or ending conflict.

amicable

Emphasizes friendliness and a desire for agreement.

propitiatory

Indicates an action intended to regain favor or appease someone.

FAQs

How to use "conciliatory" in a sentence?

You can use "conciliatory" to describe someone's behavior or a specific action that aims to resolve a dispute. For example, "The manager adopted a "conciliatory" approach to address employee concerns."

What can I say instead of "conciliatory"?

You can use alternatives like "appeasing", "placatory", or "reconciliatory" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "conciliatory" or "conciliative"?

"Conciliatory" is the more commonly used and widely accepted term. "Conciliative" is less frequent, though it carries a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "conciliatory" and "submissive"?

"Conciliatory" implies a willingness to find common ground and resolve conflict, while "submissive" suggests yielding to another's will, even if it means sacrificing one's own interests. A "conciliatory" approach seeks a balanced outcome, whereas submissiveness implies a power imbalance.