reconsider

reconsider — verb

1. To take a choice or position you have already settled on and think it over once

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

To take a choice or position you have already settled on and think it over once more, this time with the option of choosing differently.

Example

After talking to her boss, Hari decided to reconsider his plan to quit.

reconsider + noun phrase after new information

The committee asked us to reconsider our proposal before the final vote.

passive: asked + to-infinitive + reconsider

Common collocations
  • reconsider a decision
  • reconsider an offer
  • reconsider a proposal
  • reconsider a plan
  • reconsider a position
  • reconsider an opinion
Synonyms
  • rethink

    More informal; often used for plans, strategies, or approaches rather than single decisions.

  • re-evaluate

    More formal; suggests a careful, step-by-step examination of value or worth.

  • reassess

    Similar to re-evaluate but focuses on judging the importance, size, or risk of something.

Antonyms
  • confirm

    To state that a previous decision remains unchanged.

  • stand by

    To continue supporting a decision without re-examining it.

Grammar Patterns

reconsider + noun phrase

reconsider (no object)

Usage Note

Can be used transitively (with an object, e.g. 'reconsider your decision') or intransitively (without an object, e.g. 'We urged them to reconsider'). The intransitive use is common in formal settings such as board meetings or official statements.

Common Mistakes

I need to think again about my decision.
I need to reconsider my decision.
'reconsider' already carries the meaning of thinking again; 'think again about' is wordy and redundant.
She reconsidered to accept the offer.
She reconsidered accepting the offer.
'reconsider' cannot be followed by a to-infinitive; use a noun phrase or a gerund instead.

Word family

  • reconsideration
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Reconsider is the most general word in this group — it simply means thinking about something again with an open mind, and it fits most situations. Rethink is more informal and implies a deeper or wider change: you rethink a whole strategy or approach, not just one decision. Re-evaluate suggests a careful, step-by-step examination of the value or quality of something, such as a job offer or an investment. Reassess is similar but focuses on judging the importance, size, or risk of something — for example, reassessing the dangers of a project. In practice, a company might reconsider its pricing after customer complaints (general rethinking), then re-evaluate its profit margins (careful value check), and finally reassess market conditions (judging scope and risk).

reconsider ↗rethink ↗re-evaluatereassess

Common collocations

Nouns

  • reason to reconsider
  • need to reconsider
  • time to reconsider
  • chance to reconsider

Adverbs

  • seriously reconsider
  • carefully reconsider
  • briefly reconsider

Phrases

  • reconsider one's position
  • reconsider the matter

Prepositions

  • reconsider in light of
  • reconsider after

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Reconsider comes from Latin. The prefix re- means 'again,' and considerare means 'to look at closely' or 'to examine.' So the word literally means 'to examine again,' which is very close to its modern meaning.