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verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

reconsider

REE-kuhn-sih-duh

Reconsider (verb) means to think about a decision or matter again, often to see if it should change. Example: “The board agreed to reconsider the proposal after new evidence emerged.”

verb
1
To think about a decision or matter again, often to see if it should change.
"The board agreed to reconsider the proposal after new evidence emerged."
2
To change one's mind about something.
"After hearing her plea, he reconsidered and let her stay."

How to Use Reconsider

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo think again about a decision, and possibly change it.

Common pairings
reconsider a decision ask someone to reconsider urge to reconsider

Word Forms

reconsidered past tense, reconsiders singular

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Test yourself on “reconsider” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The board agreed to _____ the proposal after new evidence emerged.

Etymology

From "re-" ("again") plus "consider."

reevaluate reassess rethink revisit review reappraise think over second-guess

Related Words

Rhymes for reconsider

See all rhymes for reconsider →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “reconsider” mean?

The word “reconsider” means to think about a decision or matter again, often to see if it should change. In plain terms, to think again about a decision, and possibly change it.

How do you pronounce “reconsider”?

“Reconsider” is pronounced REE-kuhn-sih-duh (/ˈɹikənˌsɪdɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “reconsider” in a sentence?

Here is “reconsider” used in a sentence: “The board agreed to reconsider the proposal after new evidence emerged.”

What is another word for “reconsider”?

Words with a similar meaning to “reconsider” include think over and second-guess.

What part of speech is “reconsider”?

“Reconsider” is a verb.

Is “reconsider” a common word?

“Reconsider” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “reconsider” have?

“Reconsider” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to think about a decision or matter again, often to see if it should change.

What is the difference between reconsider and reevaluate?

Reconsider means to think again about a decision already made, often with a view to changing it. Reevaluate is broader, meaning to assess something again from scratch, which may or may not involve an earlier firm decision.

Does asking someone to reconsider imply they made a mistake?

Not necessarily; asking someone to reconsider simply requests that they think about a decision again, perhaps in light of new information. It doesn't always imply the original decision was wrong, only that it's worth revisiting.

Is reconsider more formal than "think again"?

Reconsider is a more formal, single-word way of expressing the same idea as "think again" or "have another think." It's commonly used in professional, legal, and official contexts, such as asking a court or committee to reconsider a ruling.

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