Reconsider is a verb meaning to think about something again, often with the possibility of changing a previous decision or opinion. It implies a cautious re-evaluation rather than a wholesale reversal, and is commonly used in formal, professional, or advisory contexts. The term invites careful reanalysis, weighing new information before arriving at a revised conclusion.
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"She decided to reconsider the proposal after the new data emerged."
"Before signing, he asked the team to reconsider the terms of the contract."
"The committee will reconsider the grant application at its next meeting."
"If you’re unsure, you should reconsider and consult with a mentor."
Reconsider originated in English, formed from the prefix re- meaning ‘again’ + consider. The verb consider itself derives from Latin consulere ‘to inquire into, deliberate,’ combining con- ‘together’ with sidere ‘to sit.’ In Middle English, reconsider appeared in the sense of examining again or weighing anew, particularly in legal or bureaucratic contexts where a decision could be revisited. The term gained prominence in 18th- and 19th-century English, aligning with evolving administrative and political discourse that emphasized due deliberation. First known uses appear in legal and formal correspondence, where reconsideration of judgments, terms, or policies became standard phrasing. Over time, reconsider broadened to general usage across domains, retaining the core notion of re-evaluation before finalizing a decision. In modern usage, reconsider frequently appears in negotiation, policy review, and personal decision-making, signaling a deliberate pause to re-assess information, options, or outcomes before committing to a choice.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "reconsider" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "reconsider" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "reconsider"
-der sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ər/ (US) or /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ə/ (UK) with primary stress on the second syllable 'SID' and secondary stress on 'RE' in many speaking patterns. Start with a clear /riː/ (long E) sound, then a light /kən-/ cluster, followed by /ˈsɪd/ and finishing with /ər/ (US) or /ə/ (UK). Keep the /r/ liquid in rhotic accents, and de-emphasize the final consonant cluster. Listening exercise: mirror the rhythm of 'revisit' but insert an extra syllable to accommodate -sid-er. Audio reference: consult a reputable dictionary audio for /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ər/ and compare US vs UK realizations.
Common errors include flattening the stressed syllable, saying /ˌriˈkɒnsɪdə/ with British short o in 'con' or misplacing the primary stress on the second syllable as /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd/. Another frequent error is pronouncing the final '-er' as /ɪr/ in non-rhotic contexts or delaying the /ər/ to the very end. To correct: ensure the 're' is lightly stressed, the 'sid' is the peak of stress, and finish with a clear, relaxed /ər/ or /ə/ depending on accent. Practice with minimal pairs to keep the /s/ clear and avoid vowel mergers in the middle.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ər/ with rhotic /r/ and a full /ər/ at the end. UK English tends toward /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ə/ with a shorter, sometimes schwa-like final; the middle /ɪ/ remains short. Australian English also features a non-trig rhotic-ish tendency with a final /ə/ and a slightly flatter vowel in the first syllable. Across accents, the main differences are rhoticity and the final vowel quality—US often retains /ər/ more distinctly, UK/AU may reduce to /ə/ or /ɐ/. IPA becomes: US /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ər/, UK /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ə/, AU /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ə/.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllable rhythm and the consonant cluster '-sid-' between two syllables, plus the final unstressed -er that often reduces to schwa. You must coordinate the long initial /riː/, the mid stressed /ˈsɪd/, and the final weak syllable /ər/ while maintaining clarity of /k/ and avoiding vowel lengthening or reduction that blurs the word’s internal boundary. Practice by isolating the 'sid' portion and pairing it with stable lip-tongue positions to prevent blending with adjacent sounds.
A distinctive feature is the secondary stress tendency on the prefix re- in careful speech, while the primary stress remains on the '-sid-' portion. You should also keep the /k/ distinct before the /ən/ sequence and ensure a clean, non-muffled final /ər/ in rhotic accents. Focus on maintaining the integrity of the central /kənˈsɪd/ cluster, preventing assimilation that could blur the /k/ and /s/ sequence. This helps preserve the word’s precise re-evaluation nuance.
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