noun

reconciliation

/ˌrekənˈsɪliːeɪʃən/ · say it: rek·uhn·SIL·ee·AY·shuhn

the restoring of agreement

In Debate & Persuasion

In more detail

1. (noun) the action of making peace between people or groups who have been in conflict

2. (noun) the process of making two different records or accounts match or agree

3. (noun) the restoration of a friendly relationship after a disagreement

Examples

The two countries hope to achieve reconciliation after years of war.
The accountant performed a reconciliation of the company's bank records.
After their argument, the couple sought reconciliation and decided to work on their relationship.

How to use reconciliation

Reconciliation refers both to restoring broken relationships (personal or political) and to matching conflicting accounts or records (especially financial). In interpersonal contexts, it emphasizes moving past conflict toward harmony; in administrative or accounting contexts, it means verifying that two sets of data correspond. The word carries a formal, somewhat optimistic tone and is common in diplomatic, legal, and business settings.

Common phrases

seek reconciliation
achieve reconciliation
reconciliation process
national reconciliation
financial reconciliation
reconciliation between parties

Synonyms

settlement · peace · accord · rapprochement · resolution

Opposites

conflict · estrangement · discord

Word family

reconcile (verb) · reconcilable (adjective) · irreconcilable (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse reconciliation with apology; reconciliation is the process of restoring a relationship, whereas an apology is typically a prerequisite for it.

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