Words / C2

k-uh-n-SIL-ee-ayt/kənˈsɪlieɪt/

To conciliate is to end a disagreement by making people less angry: conciliate both sides, conciliate a critic. Calm down is everyday for feelings; reconcile is close when the relationship is restored; appease can mean give in to keep the peace (often critical); mediate is the go-between’s job. Conciliation is the noun (ACAS-style conciliation in British employment). Formal. In speech, calm things down / make peace is enough. Conciliate the people, not the abstract “issue” alone.

Meaning

To end a disagreement by making people less angry.

Examples

• “The chair tried to conciliate both sides.”
• “The chair tried to conciliate both sides without emptying the motion of meaning.”
• “Conciliation talks stalled: neither side would concede the timetable.”

Good to know

Calm a dispute; win people round. Formal. Noun: conciliation. Everyday: make peace / calm things down. Close: reconcile. Contrast: appease (often pejorative).

Near in meaning

reconcile

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