Verb

versöhnen

Translation

to reconcile, to make peace, to conciliate

Sie haben sich nach dem Streit versöhnt.

They reconciled after the argument.

Er versuchte, die beiden Freunde zu versöhnen.

He tried to reconcile the two friends.

sich ((mit sb.)) versöhnen to reconcile ((with sb.)) She reconciled with her friend.

((sb.)) ((mit sb.)) versöhnen to reconcile ((sb.)) ((with sb.)) The mediator reconciled the two parties.

schlichten (to mediate), beilegen (to settle); Antonyms: streiten (to argue), entzweien (to set at odds)

Composed of 'ver-' (a prefix denoting change or completion) and 'söhnen' (to atone, appease). It implies the action of making peace.

Imagine 'ver-' as making something happen, and 'söhnen' sounds like 'son'. You're making someone a 'son' again, accepting them back.