conciliate
|con-ci-li-ate|
🇺🇸
/kənˈsɪli.eɪt/
🇬🇧
/kənˈsɪlɪeɪt/
peace-making
Etymology
'conciliate' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'conciliāre', which came from the past participle 'conciliātus'; the element 'con-' meant 'together' and the root is related to bringing or uniting people together.
'conciliāre' passed into Old French as 'concilier' and then into Middle English as 'conciliate', developing into the modern English verb 'conciliate'.
Initially it meant 'to bring together, unite', but over time it evolved to mean 'to gain over or placate' and also 'to reconcile or make compatible', which are the primary modern senses.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to overcome distrust or hostility; to placate or win someone over, especially by pleasant behavior or concessions.
She tried to conciliate the angry customers by offering a full refund and an apology.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/30 07:08