reconsider
gb/ɹˌikənsˈɪdɚ/ us/ɹˌikənsˈɪdɚ/
B2
English
~ 8400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
think again about a decision
To think again about a decision or idea to see if you still agree with it or want to change it.
Usage pattern:
to reconsider [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"reconsider about something"* (e.g., *"I will reconsider about my job"*). In English, *reconsider* takes a direct object: *"I will reconsider my job"* or *"I will reconsider it"*. Another mistake is using an infinitive instead of a gerund: say *"reconsider changing jobs"*, not *"reconsider to change jobs"*. Learners also sometimes use *reconsider* where simple *consider* is better; *reconsider* implies you have already thought or decided once before.
Synonyms
rethink (Emphasizes thinking again and possibly changing the plan, slightly more informal in tone.)
|
re-evaluate (Stresses judging something again, often in a careful or systematic way.)
|
review (Highlights looking over something again, often used for plans, policies, or documents.)
Antonyms
confirm (Means to state that a decision stays the same after checking it.)
|
stick with (Informal; means to continue with a decision and not change it.)
Collocations
reconsider a decision
|reconsider your position
|reconsider my options
|reconsider the proposal
|ask [someone] to reconsider
|refuse to reconsider
Themes
thinking
|communication
|work
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After hearing the new evidence, the jury had to reconsider their verdict.
- I think you should reconsider your decision to quit your job.
- The company agreed to reconsider the proposal after employees complained.
- She paused to reconsider whether moving abroad was really the right choice.
- Public pressure forced the council to reconsider its plan to close the library.
Learner examples
- Please reconsider your plan to leave school.
- He decided to reconsider his answer before sending the email.
- The manager will reconsider the schedule next week.
- I hope you will reconsider and come with us.
- She had to reconsider her ideas after talking with her teacher.
Verb
technical
C1
action
2
formally review an official decision
To officially look again at a past decision in law, government, or an organization, and decide if it should stay the same or be changed.
Usage pattern:
to reconsider [a case/decision/ruling]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a more formal, legal or bureaucratic use. In these contexts, *reconsider* often appears with nouns like *case, ruling, motion, sentence,* or *decision*, and can be part of fixed phrases like *"motion to reconsider"*. Do not confuse it with a casual personal change of mind; here it describes an official process.
Synonyms
review (Common in legal and official contexts for looking again at a decision.)
|
appeal (Focuses on asking a higher authority to change a decision, not just to look at it again.)
Antonyms
uphold (Legal/official term meaning to keep a decision the same after reviewing it.)
|
deny review (In legal contexts, means refusing to look again at a case or decision.)
Collocations
reconsider a case
|reconsider a ruling
|motion to reconsider
|refuse to reconsider the matter
|court will reconsider
|request to reconsider
Themes
law
|government
|business
Examples
- The court agreed to reconsider the case in light of new DNA evidence.
- The board voted to reconsider its earlier decision to close the factory.
- Under the rules of procedure, any member may move to reconsider the motion.
- His lawyer filed a request asking the judge to reconsider the sentence.
- The committee declined to reconsider the matter, saying the decision was final.
Learner examples
- The court will reconsider the case next month.
- Her lawyer asked the judge to reconsider the long sentence.
- The board will reconsider its decision after they get more information.
- The committee refused to reconsider the matter.
- A member made a motion to reconsider the vote.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reconsider
IPA
GB/ɹˌikənsˈɪdɚ/
US/ɹˌikənsˈɪdɚ/
Syllables & stress
re - con - sider (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (sider)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: reconsider
- 3rd Person Singular: reconsiders
- Present Participle: reconsidering
- Past: reconsidered
Word family
Forms
reconsiders
verb
reconsidering
verb
reconsidered
verb
Core family
reconsideration
noun
Related words
consider
verb B1
consideration
noun B1
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.