German word

versöhnlich

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈzøːnlɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectiveconciliatory

Example

Sein versöhnliches Verhalten beruhigte die Situation.

His conciliatory manner calmed the situation.

Illustration for versöhnlich (conciliatory)

More examples

Sie zeigte eine versöhnliche Geste und reichte ihm die Hand.

She made a conciliatory gesture and held out her hand to him.

Core concept

A tense exchange softens as words or gestures make peace feel possible.

Common phrases

  • versöhnliche Geste

    conciliatory gesture

  • versöhnlicher Ton

    conciliatory tone

  • versöhnliches Angebot

    conciliatory offer

Similar words

versöhnend: Promoting compromise and bringing a conflict closer to settlement.
deeskalierend: Softening a tense situation and preventing hostility from escalating.
versöhnungsbereit: Open to making peace and accepting a proposal to reconcile.

Definition in German

versöhnlich bezeichnet eine Haltung, die Versöhnung oder Frieden zwischen Personen fördert.

Word origin

Versöhnlich is formed from versöhnen, meaning to reconcile, with the adjective suffix -lich; versöhnen is historically related to Sühne.

Usage tips

  • Versöhnlich describes a conciliatory manner or behavior, while versöhnt describes people or sides that have already been reconciled.

Other meanings

  • reconcilingadjective
  • appeasingadjective

Opposites

  • unversöhnlichirreconcilableadjective
  • feindselighostileadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word