3 syllables: Re, con, cile. Stress on Re.
REK-uhn-seyel
/ˈɹɛkəˌnsaɪl/
Reconcile is pronounced REK-uhn-seyel (/ˈɹɛkəˌnsaɪl/). It has three syllables (Re-con-cile), with the stress on "Re". Reconcile is a verb meaning to restore friendly relations or bring into harmony, often resolving a disagreement or differences to achieve compatibility. It can also refer to making two different things compatible or consistent with each other, or settling accounts. The term implies finding a peaceful or accepted middle ground after conflict or inconsistency.
verbReconcile is a verb meaning to restore friendly relations or bring into harmony, often resolving a disagreement or differences to achieve compatibility. It can also refer to making two different things compatible or consistent with each other, or settling accounts. The term implies finding a peaceful or accepted middle ground after conflict or inconsistency.
- You might blur the boundary between the middle /kən/ and the final /saɪl/; ensure a light, distinct transition from /kən/ to /saɪl/. - Mismatch in vowel quality in the middle syllable: replace a crisp /ə/ with a dull /ɪ/ or /ɛ/; aim for a reduced, neutral /ən/ or /ə/. - Stress misplacement: place primary stress on the first syllable; misplacing it leads to a less natural rhythm. Correction: practice with controlled emphasis on REK-ən-sile and then REK-əˈsaɪl in connected speech. - Final consonant: ensure the /l/ is not omitted; keep a steady tip-of-tongue contact for a clean L.
"After years of disagreement, the siblings managed to reconcile and rebuild their relationship."
"The company sought to reconcile its quarterly reports with new accounting standards."
"She tried to reconcile the evidence with her beliefs, adjusting her conclusions accordingly."
Pronounce it as /ˈrɛkənˌsaɪl/ (US/UK typically) with primary stress on the first syllable: REK-ən- sail, and a lighter secondary lift on -sile. Start with an /r/ to /ɛ/ vowel, then a schwa or reduced /ə/ in the middle, and end with /saɪl/. Mouth: tip of the tongue near the alveolar ridge for /r/ and /ɹ/; the middle vowels are relaxed; the final /aɪl/ involves a high, tense diphthong. For clarity and rhythm, emphasize the first syllable a touch longer.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying re- CON-cile instead of REK-ən-sile), mispronouncing the middle vowel as a full /ɪ/ rather than a schwa, and misarticulating the final /aɪl/ as /iːl/ or /aɪl/ with reduced vowel quality. Correct by: keeping primary stress on the first syllable, using a relaxed central vowel in the middle, then a clear /aɪ/ glide into /l/. Practice with slow, deliberate consonant release and a crisp /l/ at the end.
In US, UK, and AU, the overall rhythm is similar but vowel quality differs slightly. US tends to have a more pronounced /ɪ/ or /ə/ in the middle and a slightly tenser /aɪ/; UK often preserves a clearer /ɪ/ in the middle and a smoother /aɪ/ glide; Australian pronunciation may feature a broader /ə/ and a more centralized /ɹ/ or less rhoticity in non-stressed syllables. The final /l/ can be lighter in some Australian speakers. Maintain the same primary stress pattern across accents.
Two main challenges: a multi-syllabic word with three syllables and a triplet of sounds that require smooth transitions (–kən–saɪ–l). The middle unstressed syllable often reduces to a schwa, which can be overlooked, causing a choppy rhythm. The final /aɪl/ cluster demands precise tongue height and lip rounding for a natural glide into the liquid /l/. Focus on keeping the syllables even and maintaining a clear /aɪ/ before the final /l/.
A unique feature is the sharp separation between the middle syllable and the final diphthong, which creates a distinct three-beat rhythm: re-KON-sile or REK-ən-sail, depending on overlap and speed. The first syllable carries the primary stress, but you still need to articulate the middle syllable clearly to prevent blending with the final /saɪl/. This makes it a word where rhythm and precise segment boundaries matter for intelligibility.
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- US: emphasize rhoticity and the neutral middle vowel; the /r/ is strong at the start, and /l/ endings are clear. - UK: maintain clear /ə/ in the middle syllable and a slightly crisper /l/; the second syllable can be slightly shorter. - AU: a broader vowel quality in the middle and less pronounced /r/; keep the /l/ light but audible. Use IPA to check each variant: /ˈrɛkənˌsaɪl/ for US, /ˈrɛkənˌsaɪl/ for UK, /ˈɹekənˌsaɪl/ for AU with a slightly shortened middle vowel.
Reconcile comes from the Old French reconciler, from reconcilier, formed from the prefix re- (again) + concilier (to unite, bring together, reconcile). Conciliatus is the past participle of conciliare, from Latin conciliare (to unite, to bring to agreement). The Latin root conciliare itself derives from concilium (a gathering, council) and the verb crescere? Not exactly. The evolution in English merged the French form during Middle English, gaining senses of making peace between people and making things consistent or compatible. Early uses in the 14th–15th centuries centered on bringing enemies to peace and settling disputes; later senses expanded to harmonizing accounts, numbers, or systems. The word carries moral and practical connotations of bridging gaps, whether interpersonal, legal, or logical. Historically, reconcile has retained the core idea of joining or aligning two elements that were previously apart, with emphasis on finality and agreement. First known use appears in late Middle English through borrowings from Anglo-French, reflecting the social importance of peacemaking and agreement in governance and personal relationships.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Reconcile" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Reconcile"
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