Home › Military Science & Warfare › Peacekeeping & UN Interventions › reconciliation

reconciliation

rek-un-sil-ee-AY-shun /ˌrekənsɪliˈeɪʃən/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

formalpoliticalsocial

The restoration of friendly relations; the action of making one view or belief compatible with another.

In post-conflict settings, it refers to the process of healing divisions, addressing past wrongs, and rebuilding trust between former adversaries or divided communities, often through truth commissions or dialogue.

The story behind the word. The word 'reconciliation' comes from the Latin 'reconciliare', meaning 'to bring together again, restore, reunite'. This is formed from 're-' (again) and 'conciliare' (to bring together, unite, call together). The root 'conciliare' is also related to 'council'. So, reconciliation is about 'calling people together again' to restore harmony.

Word relationships

rapprochement: Rapprochement refers to the establishment or resumption of harmonious relations, especially between countries, often more formal than reconciliation.
accord: Accord is an agreement or harmony, but reconciliation implies overcoming past conflict to achieve that harmony.
atonement: Atonement is making amends for a wrong, which can be a part of reconciliation, but reconciliation is the broader process of restoring relations.

estrangement: The state of being separated or alienated.
conflict: Active disagreement or dispute.

Word family

reconcile (verb): To restore friendly relations between; to make (one thing) compatible with (another).

Collocations

national reconciliation
truth and reconciliation
peace and reconciliation
foster reconciliation
process of reconciliation

Example sentences

"After decades of civil war, the nation embarked on a difficult but necessary path towards truth and reconciliation, hoping to heal deep-seated societal wounds." Post-conflict peacebuilding.
"Their reconciliation after the bitter argument was a relief to all their friends." Personal relationships.

Memory hook

Think of 're-connect' and 'conciliate' (to make peace). Reconciliation is reconnecting and making peace. Restore Harmony

When not to use

Do not use 'reconciliation' for simple agreement or compromise; it implies a deeper process of overcoming past animosity and restoring harmony.

Fun facts

Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRCs), like the one in post-apartheid South Africa, are mechanisms used to address past human rights abuses and promote healing.