Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reconcile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reconcile are accommodate, adapt, adjust, and conform. While all these words mean "to bring one thing into correspondence with another," reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

When might accommodate be a better fit than reconcile?

The words accommodate and reconcile can be used in similar contexts, but accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

When could adapt be used to replace reconcile?

Although the words adapt and reconcile have much in common, adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

adapted themselves to the warmer climate

When can adjust be used instead of reconcile?

While in some cases nearly identical to reconcile, adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

In what contexts can conform take the place of reconcile?

While the synonyms conform and reconcile are close in meaning, conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

refused to conform to society's values

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reconcile Emmi, who came out as gay during his college days, was still reconciling with that journey while his brother was preparing to enter the police force. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2025 The pair briefly reconciled before filing for divorce a second time in 2020. 04 of 12 Donnie Wahlberg (C. Carwood Lipton) Former teen idol Donnie Wahlberg played the stoic, gritty Lieutenant Carwood Lipton. Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2025 This would maintain the purely volunteer nature of your work while benefiting the clinic, reconciling character and consequences. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 That seemingly leaves a vulnerability that any Trump deal allowing ByteDance to maintain control of the algorithm would likely have to reconcile. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for reconcile 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reconcile
Verb
  • Saquon Barkley Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley gave a modern update to the Canadian tuxedo, pairing a denim jacket and jeans in a coordinating navy hue.
    Ty Gaskins, WWD, 9 Feb. 2025
  • The two agencies announced a 20-month study to assess the potential for the district and forest preserves coordinating and sharing costs for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of a Deer Creek-Third Creek Reservoir.
    Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Also at the University of Chicago, NORC is part of a consortium that last year received a $53 million, 10-year grant to better integrate the use of evidence and data into USAID programs.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The decade is lushly integrated into the storyline, a soft focus and sepia tones bring an air of nostalgia to the fore as the sets and cast recreate the trappings of a gritty Madrid, 1979.
    Holly Jones, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio The dining room at a Parkdale, Oregon, retreat designed by Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio combines a concert of natural wood finishes, celebrating the palette of the rural setting.
    Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The Cyclones leaned heavily on Jones and forward Joshua Jefferson and the two combined for 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Helen Fielding adapts her novel for the screen alongside Dan Mazer and Abi Morgan with maturity.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Author Sophie Cousens adapted her novel, which came out at the end of 2020, into the screenplay for the movie.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Communication intensifies as Venus and Pluto harmonize.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
  • As people seek more personalized and proactive approaches to their health, 2025 will likely shift toward harmonizing cutting-edge wellness practices with a deeper understanding of their influence on consumers' bodies, minds and overall well-being.
    Nicole Dunn, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • More precisely, the team behind the simulation discovered that binary black hole pairs formed in dense star clusters first align their spins before coming together and merging.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2025
  • In December, Alum Rock Union School District in East San Jose announced plans to close or merge 13 schools by the end of next year to tackle the district’s $20 million budget shortfall.
    Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On those nights, the sun, Earth and moon will align so that the moon passes into the Earth's shadow, causing the lunar surface to appear as a deep shade of rusty-red during the more than hourlong totality.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The project was announced in 2023, but Cooper has finally shared more details, including his work as B camera operator on the film, which aligns with his famously hands-on approach to filmmaking.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Well, the Lions don’t conform to consensus, or what you’re supposed to do when building a team.
    Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
  • The State Department spokesperson didn't say whether the reform conformed with the law.
    Barak Ravid, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near reconcile

Cite this Entry

“Reconcile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reconcile. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reconcile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!