reconcile

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'reconcile' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to resolving an argument or disagreement. Example sentence: The two siblings reconciled their differences after a long and difficult conversation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several competing explanations attempt to reconcile these trends, and getting it right is essential for calibrating monetary and fiscal policy appropriately.

The Guardian - Business

His idealisation of an ascetic lifestyle and explicit denunciations of consumerism are clearly hard to reconcile with his multimillionaire status.

The Guardian - Books

Lacking agency, I couldn't reconcile these opposing forces.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Davies brothers' latest disagreement is an unfortunate coda to a summer in which they seemed primed to reconcile.

The Guardian - Music

They made a beautiful film and I had to reconcile myself to the compromises that one has to make for the film industry.

The Guardian

The interesting thing about Seneca's wealth is not only how extensive it was, but how difficult it is to reconcile with his literary and philosophical discussions of riches.

The Guardian - Books

It is an attempt by some inside the movements to reconcile statements written and endorsed in the different assemblies around the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

"May God bless the father of this Sultan so-and-so should he be able to reconcile these two," he told Tehran Bureau.

The Guardian

The European participants met in February 2009 in Berlin in an attempt to reconcile their internal differences.

The Guardian

It's hard to reconcile how putting regional workers' jobs on the line equates to increasing the ABC's regional presence.

The Guardian

But constructing road bridges, flyovers or tunnels on virgin railways poses a different challenge from trying to reconcile the flat East Anglian landscape and its old market towns with the desire for faster trains.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reconcile", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being brought into agreement. For instance, specify the conflicting ideas, parties, or accounts that need to be reconciled.

Common error

Avoid using "reconcile" when simply describing a minor adjustment or correction. "Reconcile" implies a significant discrepancy or conflict that needs to be resolved.

Linguistic Context

The word "reconcile" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the action of restoring harmony, resolving discrepancies, or making things compatible. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, like reconciling financial accounts or conflicting viewpoints, which aligns with Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "reconcile" is a versatile verb used to describe bringing different elements into agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in a wide range of writing contexts. Its function involves resolving conflicts, harmonizing discrepancies, or restoring friendly relationships, most commonly found in news and business contexts. While generally neutral to formal, the examples from Ludwig showcase its frequent use in authoritative sources, emphasizing the importance of precision in its application. Remember to clearly define what needs "reconciling" in your writing to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make compatible

Focuses on making things work together effectively.

resolve differences

Focuses specifically on the act of settling disagreements.

iron out differences

Suggests smoothing out disagreements in a negotiation.

restore harmony

Emphasizes the return to a state of agreement or peace.

achieve a compromise

Highlights the attainment of a mutually acceptable agreement.

bring into agreement

Highlights the act of causing different parties or ideas to align.

patch things up

Describes mending a relationship or resolving a dispute informally.

find common ground

Suggests a collaborative effort to discover shared beliefs or interests.

bring together

Emphasizes the act of uniting or reuniting people or ideas.

settle the score

Implies a desire to even out past grievances, not always in a friendly way.

FAQs

How do you use "reconcile" in a sentence?

Use "reconcile" to indicate bringing into agreement or resolving inconsistencies, as in "The accountant had to reconcile the bank statement with the company's records" or "The parties tried to reconcile their differences".

What can I say instead of "reconcile"?

You can use alternatives like "resolve differences", "harmonize", or "bring into agreement" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "reconcile"?

It's appropriate to use "reconcile" when there are apparent inconsistencies or conflicts that need to be resolved or brought into harmony. This can apply to financial records, relationships, or differing viewpoints.

Which is correct, "reconcile with" or "reconcile to"?

Both "reconcile with" and "reconcile to" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Reconcile with" means to restore friendly relations, while "reconcile to" means to accept something unpleasant.