as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem
an Alzheimer's support group in which caregivers can confabulate as well as commiserate
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Recent Examples of confabulate
The errant or confabulated information that AI tools can generate is often referred to as hallucinations.
—
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
These failures occurred when the AI models confabulated successful operations and built subsequent actions on false premises, highlighting the risks of depending on AI assistants that can misinterpret file structures or fabricate data to hide their errors.
—ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
Consider Samuel and Miranda in their hotel’s breakfast area:
The personnel dressed in white jackets the next morning were busy confabulating and joking with one another while cheesy loud music was playing in the background.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
Then Michael confabulated much longer and more fruitfully.
—Josh Rottenberg, latimes.com, 9 Oct. 2017
Confabulation seems to be more frequent in the face of repeatedly unpacking a memory; in other words, someone like EpicJourneyMan, who regularly ordered children’s videos and watched them to find damaged tape, is more likely to confabulate a specific memory from that material.
—Caitlin Aamodt, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2017
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
These failures occurred when the AI models confabulated successful operations and built subsequent actions on false premises, highlighting the risks of depending on AI assistants that can misinterpret file structures or fabricate data to hide their errors.
—ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
Consider Samuel and Miranda in their hotel’s breakfast area:
The personnel dressed in white jackets the next morning were busy confabulating and joking with one another while cheesy loud music was playing in the background.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
Then Michael confabulated much longer and more fruitfully.
—Josh Rottenberg, latimes.com, 9 Oct. 2017
Confabulation seems to be more frequent in the face of repeatedly unpacking a memory; in other words, someone like EpicJourneyMan, who regularly ordered children’s videos and watched them to find damaged tape, is more likely to confabulate a specific memory from that material.
—Caitlin Aamodt, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confabulate
Verb
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Detectives from the Roseville Police Department will consult with the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office regarding possible charges.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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The city argued that the federal government must consult with the city before making changes to the President’s House Site.—
Michael Casey,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
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These are ideas that confer status on the affluent while imposing costs on people further down the socioeconomic ladder.—
Rob Henderson,
Washington Post,
21 June 2026
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The umpires conferred and spoke with Venable, who seemed puzzled by the inquisition.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The proposal could increase parking rates to as much as $3 per hour, though city leaders will discuss the final details at Tuesday evening's council meeting.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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Plot to rob a military ammunition plant Officials said the group discussed a backup plan to steal military ordnance after determining that its members lacked the expertise needed to manufacture homemade explosives.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
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There were cartoons while dressing children, evening news while cooking dinner, and, before bed, families watched mutely as onscreen families laughed and talked.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
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Sehic said there were many people at the restaurant at the time, and said Campbell was talking to someone else at the bar when he was approached by Harakh.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confabulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confabulate. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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