reconciliation

The process of becoming friendly again after an argument or a period of separation.

• Both sides hoped for reconciliation.
• Her reconciliation with her sister took years.
• The peace talks opened a path to reconciliation.

How to use it: reconciliation with someone (He wanted reconciliation with his former friend.); reconciliation between A and B (The meeting encouraged reconciliation between the two communities.)

Similar words: reunion, rapprochement

Opposites: estrangement

Common phrases: reconciliation with someone, hope for reconciliation, family reconciliation

Comparing financial records and correcting differences so that the amounts agree.

• The accountant completed the bank reconciliation.
• Monthly reconciliation helps us find missing payments.
• A reconciliation of the records revealed an error.

Similar words: account matching

Common phrases: bank reconciliation, account reconciliation, monthly reconciliation

A nation’s efforts to repair past wrongs against Indigenous peoples and build better relationships with them.

• The government promised to work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
• The commission linked reconciliation to truth and justice.
• Meaningful reconciliation requires action on broken treaty promises.

How to use it: reconciliation with someone (The report calls for reconciliation with Indigenous communities.)

Common phrases: truth and reconciliation, national reconciliation, reconciliation with someone

The restoration of a good relationship with God through forgiveness of sins.

• The sermon spoke of reconciliation with God.
• Christians connect reconciliation with the forgiveness of sins.
• She prayed for spiritual reconciliation.

How to use it: reconciliation with God (The passage describes reconciliation with God through faith.)

Similar words: atonement

Common phrases: reconciliation with God, spiritual reconciliation, ministry of reconciliation