conciliate

Conciliate is a verb meaning to placate or win over someone, or to bring parties into harmony or agreement after a dispute. It often involves dialogue, negotiation, and concessions aimed at restoring goodwill rather than imposing a solution. In diplomacy, labor relations, and interpersonal contexts, conciliation describes a process oriented toward reconciliation.

Etymology: from Latin conciliare "to bring together," from concilium "assembly, council." The noun form conciliator, the adjective conciliatory, and the noun conciliation derive from the same root.

Usage and distinctions: Conciliate emphasizes reducing tension and achieving agreement through dialogue or concessions, rather than enforcing agreement. It is not identical to reconcile, which may acknowledge persisting differences while restoring cordial relations, or to appease, which aims primarily to quiet anger without necessarily addressing underlying issues.

Examples: The mediator tried to conciliate the parties by proposing a compromise. The unions and management used a conciliator to conciliate their differences. Government statements sought to conciliate public opinion by addressing concerns and offering assurances.

See also: conciliation, conciliator, conciliatory.