reconciliation

reconciliation — noun

1. the act of restoring a friendly relationship between two parties after a period

1.nounB2
Definition

the act of restoring a friendly relationship between two parties after a period of hostility or disagreement

Example

After years of silence, the two sisters finally made a sincere effort toward reconciliation.

toward reconciliation (prepositional pattern)

Kenji attended a peace conference that focused on reconciliation between former enemies.

reconciliation between [groups]

Common collocations
  • reach reconciliation
  • seek reconciliation
  • move toward reconciliation
  • reconciliation talks
  • spirit of reconciliation
  • reconciliation process
Synonyms
  • reunion

    Focuses on meeting again; may not involve resolving conflict

  • rapprochement

    More formal, usually describes political or diplomatic relationships

  • settlement

    Resolves a dispute but may not restore friendliness

Antonyms
  • estrangement

    A state of being separated and no longer friendly

  • conflict

    Continued disagreement or fighting

Grammar Patterns

reconciliation between [two parties]

reconciliation with [someone]

toward reconciliation

Usage Note

Often used with the prepositions 'toward', 'between', or 'with'. Common in political, social, and personal contexts involving long-term conflict.

Common Mistakes

The two countries reached a reconciliation after signing the trade agreement.
The two countries moved toward reconciliation after years of peace talks.
'reconciliation' focuses on restoring relationships, not simply signing a deal.
I had a reconciliation with my brother about the broken window.
I made my peace with my brother about the broken window.
'reconciliation' implies a serious or long-standing disagreement, not a minor argument.

2. the process of finding a way for two opposing beliefs, ideas, or facts to be com

2.nounB2
Definition

the process of finding a way for two opposing beliefs, ideas, or facts to be compatible and not contradict each other

Example

The philosopher worked on a reconciliation of science and religion throughout his career.

reconciliation of [X] and [Y]

Accountants struggled with the reconciliation of two financial reports that showed different figures.

Common collocations
  • reconciliation of ideas
  • reconciliation of facts
  • reconciliation account
  • reconciliation statement
  • political reconciliation
  • seek a reconciliation
Synonyms
  • harmonization

    Making different systems or rules work smoothly together; often used in law and standards

  • synthesis

    Combining ideas to create something new; stronger sense of integration

  • integration

    Bringing parts into a whole; less emphasis on resolving conflict

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

reconciliation of [X] and [Y]

reconciliation between [X] and [Y]

reconciliation of [X] with [Y]

Usage Note

Common in academic, financial, and policy contexts. The two things being reconciled are typically introduced with 'of', 'between', or 'with'.

Common Mistakes

The teacher helped us find a reconciliation for the math problem.
The teacher helped us find a solution to the math problem.
'reconciliation' applies to broad ideas or principles, not single problems.
We need a reconciliation between my schedule and yours.
We need to coordinate my schedule with yours.
'reconciliation' suggests a deeper conceptual clash, not a simple scheduling conflict.

Word family

  • reconcile
    verbB2
  • reconcilable
    adjectiveC1
  • irreconcilable
    adjectiveC1
  • reconciled
    adjectiveB2
  • reconciliatory
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Reconciliation, reunion, rapprochement, and settlement all describe repairing a broken relationship, but they differ in emphasis. Reconciliation focuses on resolving the underlying conflict and restoring goodwill — it implies that both sides have addressed their differences. A reunion simply means coming together again, with or without resolving what caused the split. Rapprochement is a formal term used mainly in politics and diplomacy, describing a gradual rebuilding of ties between nations. Settlement refers to reaching an agreement that ends a dispute, but the agreement may be purely practical — the parties might still dislike each other. For example, two business partners could reach a financial settlement without any personal reconciliation. When a couple stops arguing and starts trusting each other again, that is reconciliation. When old friends who drifted apart simply meet for coffee, that is a reunion.

reconciliation ↗reunion ↗rapprochementsettlement ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • move toward reconciliation
  • seek reconciliation
  • reach a reconciliation
  • reconciliation of accounts

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'reconciliation' comes from Latin reconciliātiō, formed from reconciliāre meaning 'to bring together again'. This breaks down into re- ('again') and conciliāre ('to unite, make friendly, win over'). Conciliāre itself comes from concilium ('assembly, meeting'). The word entered English through Old French reconciliacion in the 14th century, originally with a strong religious meaning of restoring a sinner to the Church. Over time, its use broadened to political and personal relationships, and later to the abstract idea of making opposing concepts compatible.