# reconcile

/ˈɹɛkənˌsaɪɫ/ (US) · /ɹˈɛkənsˌaɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reconcile
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to restore a relationship

verb · CEFR B2

to become friendly again after a fight or disagreement.

For teachers: to restore friendly relations between parties after a period of conflict or estrangement.

- After not speaking for years, the two brothers finally managed to reconcile.
- The mediator worked tirelessly to reconcile the warring factions, eventually securing a fragile peace treaty that satisfied both leaderships.

Usage: Often used with 'with' when an object is present.

### 2. to make ideas coexist

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic

to find a way to make two different ideas or facts exist together without conflict.

For teachers: to make two seemingly incompatible concepts, facts, or beliefs consistent with one another.

- It is sometimes hard to reconcile your personal beliefs with your professional duties.
- The philosopher attempted to reconcile the existence of evil with the concept of a benevolent deity, a challenge that has persisted for centuries.

Usage: Typically takes a direct object followed by 'with'.

### 3. to check financial records

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

to check that two sets of numbers, like a bank statement and your own records, match exactly.

For teachers: to ensure that the net difference in credits and debits of a financial account agrees with the corresponding balance.

- The accountant needs to reconcile the bank statement with the company's internal records.
- At the end of each fiscal quarter, the treasury department must reconcile all outstanding invoices to ensure the ledger reflects the actual cash flow.

Usage: Commonly used in accounting and legal contexts regarding audits.

## Examples

- It is hard to reconcile his love of nature with his job in oil.
- The accountant spent the afternoon trying to reconcile the bank statement with the company's internal ledger.
- The diplomat worked tirelessly to reconcile the conflicting demands of both nations, seeking a middle ground that would preserve the peace without compromising either side's core sovereignty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.