conciliation
conciliation — noun
1. the work of bringing a quarrel or dispute to a peaceful close, usually through t
the work of bringing a quarrel or dispute to a peaceful close, usually through talks that allow both sides to give up some of their demands
Soraya offered a quiet gesture of conciliation by inviting her former business partner to lunch.
gesture of conciliation (common collocation)
The mayor called for conciliation between the striking nurses and the hospital board.
conciliation between [two parties]
After months of bitter argument, the family lawyer suggested conciliation rather than a court battle.
The labour board offers free conciliation services to small companies and their workers.
- mediation
Stresses the role of a neutral third party; more formal procedurally
- reconciliation
Focuses on the restored relationship after the dispute ends, not the process of ending it
- appeasement
Often carries a negative connotation of giving in too easily, especially in politics
- provocation
Action that stirs up anger or conflict instead of calming it
- escalation
Making a dispute worse rather than settling it
文法句型
conciliation between [two parties]
act of conciliation
gesture of conciliation
用法筆記
Often appears in industrial-relations, legal, and political contexts. Subject of 'conciliation' is typically a neutral third party (mediator, board, government) helping two sides find common ground.
常見錯誤
conciliation — verb
1. to calm an angry or unfriendly person by doing kind or pleasing things, so they
to calm an angry or unfriendly person by doing kind or pleasing things, so they no longer feel hostile toward you
Asher tried to conciliate his furious neighbour by offering to repair the broken fence himself.
conciliate [someone] by [doing something]
The new principal worked hard to conciliate the parents after the schedule changes.
conciliate [a group of people]
Beatriz brought flowers to conciliate her mother-in-law after the holiday argument.
The company offered free gift cards to conciliate customers whose orders had arrived late.
- antagonise
Make someone hostile rather than calm them down
- provoke
Deliberately stir up anger
文法句型
conciliate [someone]
conciliate [someone] by [doing something]
conciliate [feelings / anger]
用法筆記
Object is almost always a person or group whose anger or hostility you want to soften. Distinguish from sense 2: here the object is a person; in sense 2 the object is an abstract thing like ideas or facts.
常見錯誤
2. to bring two opposing ideas, beliefs, or interests into a workable agreement so
to bring two opposing ideas, beliefs, or interests into a workable agreement so that they no longer clash with each other
The policy aimed to conciliate economic growth with environmental protection in coastal towns.
conciliate [X] with [Y]
Vikram's essay tried to conciliate traditional values and modern scientific thinking.
conciliate [X] and [Y]
The committee struggled to conciliate the demands of older members with those of younger ones.
It is hard to conciliate the wish for privacy with the need for public accountability.
- polarise
Drive two positions further apart instead of bringing them together
文法句型
conciliate [X] with [Y]
conciliate [X] and [Y]
用法筆記
Object is an abstract idea, value, or set of interests — never a person. Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a hostile person or group. This sense is closer in meaning to 'reconcile two ideas'.
常見錯誤
3. to start acting in a friendly or agreeable way toward someone after a period of
to start acting in a friendly or agreeable way toward someone after a period of coldness, anger, or distance
After weeks of icy silence at the office, Mathieu finally began to conciliate.
begin to conciliate (intransitive)
The two rival party leaders started to conciliate once the election results came in.
[plural subject] conciliates
Romi refused to conciliate, even after her sister apologised twice.
Both sides slowly began to conciliate during the long winter of talks.
- harden
Become more fixed and unfriendly in one's position
文法句型
[subject] conciliates
begin to conciliate
用法筆記
Used without an object — the subject is the person who is becoming friendlier. Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 1 the subject acts ON someone else's anger; in sense 3 the subject's own attitude softens.