Meaning & use
be reconciled
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Meanings
phrasefixed phraseformal
to become friendly again after a quarrel or disagreement
Grammar: Often followed by 'with' + person: 'be reconciled with her brother'.
Patterns
- be reconciled with someone
- become reconciled
After years of not speaking, the two sisters were finally reconciled.
He was reconciled with his father before the wedding.
phrasefixed phraseformal
to accept something unpleasant because you cannot change it
Grammar: Followed by 'to' + noun or -ing form: 'be reconciled to the idea'.
Patterns
- be reconciled to something
- be reconciled to doing something
She is now reconciled to living alone.
They were reconciled to the fact that the house would never sell.
Common combinations
- be reconciled with someone
- He hopes to be reconciled with his old friend.
- be reconciled to something
- She is reconciled to the loss of her job.
- become reconciled
- The couple became reconciled after counseling.
Synonyms and how they differ
- make up
- Informal and means to become friends again after a small argument; 'be reconciled' is more formal and serious.
- reunite
- Means to come together again after being apart, but does not always suggest a quarrel.
Opposites
Word family
- reconcile verb
- To make people friendly again or to make ideas agree.
- reconciliation noun
- The process of becoming friendly again or accepting something.
Commonly confused: be reconciled or conciliate?
be reconciled vs conciliate
'Conciliate' means to try to make someone less angry, often by pleasing them. 'Reconcile' is about restoring a relationship after a quarrel.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
When you accept an unpleasant fact, you are 'reconciled to' it. 'Reconciled with' is used for people you become friendly with again. 'For' and 'at' do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “be reconciled”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.