reconcile differences

Meaning

To reconcile differences means to resolve disagreements, arguments, or conflicts so that people can live or work together in harmony again. It implies that both sides have compromised or come to an understanding to heal a damaged relationship.

Examples

• After a long and honest conversation, the couple managed to reconcile their differences.

  After a long and honest conversation, the couple managed to reconcile their differences.

• It is important for business partners to reconcile differences before launching a new project.

  It is important for business partners to reconcile differences before launching a new project.

• They had been fighting for weeks, but they finally sat down to reconcile their differences.

  They had been fighting for weeks, but they finally sat down to reconcile their differences.

• Despite their political disagreements, they were able to reconcile their differences and remain close friends.

  Despite their political disagreements, they were able to reconcile their differences and remain close friends.

• She realized that life is too short to hold grudges, so she decided to reconcile differences with her sister.

  She realized that life is too short to hold grudges, so she decided to reconcile differences with her sister.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They reconciled with their differences after the argument.

  ✓ They reconciled their differences after the argument.

  You reconcile *with* a person, but you reconcile *differences* directly without a preposition.

• ✗ We need to make reconcile of our differences.

  ✓ We need to reconcile our differences.

  'Reconcile' is a verb. Do not use 'make reconcile' as a noun phrase.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The two countries are trying to ___ and sign a peace treaty.

  💡 Add a possessive pronoun like 'their' between the verb and noun.

  Show answer

  reconcile their differences

• It took them months to ___, but they are finally on speaking terms again.

  💡 The base verb phrase meaning to resolve arguments.

  Show answer

  reconcile differences