conciliation

/kənˌsɪliˈeɪʃən/

Other forms: conciliations

When you calm someone down, soothing their anger or distrust, that's conciliation. Conciliation is an important part of making peace between two warring countries.

If you've had a misunderstanding with a friend that you're determined to put right, there's likely to be a tone of conciliation in your voice as you invite her to meet for lunch. You can also use conciliation to bring two other people or groups to an understanding, the way a mediator does when people get divorced, or a peacekeeper works with hostile countries. The Latin root, conciliationem, means "a connection, union, or bond," or literally, "a making friendly."

Definitions of conciliation

1. noun

   the act of placating and overcoming distrust and animosity
   synonyms: placation, propitiation

   type of:

   appeasement, calming

   the act of appeasing (as by acceding to the demands of)
2. noun

   the state of manifesting goodwill and cooperation after being reconciled
   “there was a brief period of conciliation but the fighting soon resumed”

   type of:

   peace

   the state prevailing during the absence of war
3. noun

   any of various forms of mediation whereby disputes may be settled short of arbitration
   type of:

   mediation

   a negotiation to resolve differences that is conducted by some impartial party