Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make compatible; to reconcile: To bring into agreement or harmony, especially when there are differences or conflicts.
   • To placate or pacify; to gain the goodwill of: To overcome the distrust or hostility of someone, making them calmer or more friendly.
   • To reconcile people in conflict; to mediate: To act as a peacemaker between opposing parties.

Usage and Examples

• To make compatible:

  • The diplomat tried to conciliate the two conflicting clauses in the treaty.
  • His role was to conciliate the new evidence with the established historical narrative.

• To placate or gain goodwill:

  • The manager conciliated the upset client with a sincere apology and a refund.
  • Offering a compromise was the best way to conciliate the opposing faction.

• To mediate or reconcile people:

  • A neutral third party was brought in to conciliate between the labor union and management.

Advanced Usage

• "To conciliate differences": To resolve disagreements or opposing views.

  • The committee's purpose is to conciliate differences in opinion among the members.

• "A conciliatory tone/gesture": An action or manner intended to placate someone or show a willingness to agree. (Note: This uses the adjective form 'conciliatory', derived from 'conciliate').

  • He adopted a conciliatory tone to ease the tensions in the room.

Variants and Related Words

• Conciliator (n): A person who conciliates; a mediator or peacemaker.

  • She acted as a conciliator in the dispute.

• Conciliatory (adj): Intended or likely to placate or pacify.

  • They made a conciliatory offer to end the strike.

• Conciliation (n): The action of mediating or reconciling a dispute.

  • The process of conciliation prevented the case from going to court.

Synonyms

• Reconcile: To restore friendly relations or to make compatible.
• Placate: To make someone less angry or hostile.
• Mollify: To appease the anger or anxiety of someone.
• Pacify: To bring peace, especially by calming or subduing.
• Appease: To pacify or placate by acceding to demands.

Antonyms

• Antagonize: To cause someone to become hostile.
• Provoke: To stimulate or incite anger or conflict.
• Alienate: To cause someone to feel isolated or estranged.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To conciliate public opinion": To gain public favor or approval, often after a controversy.

  • The mayor's public address was an attempt to conciliate public opinion after the scandal.

• "A spirit of conciliation": An attitude or approach focused on making peace and finding agreement.

  • Successful negotiations require a spirit of conciliation from all sides.

Verb

1. make (one thing) compatible with (another)
   • The scientists had to accommodate the new results with the existing theories
2. come to terms
   • After some discussion we finally made up
3. cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
   • She managed to mollify the angry customer