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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of confabulate
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
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
-
Hensley was surprised to learn that Welton’s consulting gig overlapped with his time living in a rental property owned by Olson’s company.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Construction of both projects would take place sometime between 2026-27, according to plans released by Louisville Metro Government and consulting firm Palmer Engineering.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He's said they're also expected to confer about China's purchase of American soybeans and even nuclear matters.—
Michelle Stoddart,
ABC News,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Perhaps most well-known, however, are the gut health benefits conferred by the pickling process itself.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For example, as part of its agreement with OpenAI, Nvidia has reportedly discussed guaranteeing loans the startup would use to build its own data centers—a move that could leave the chipmaker on the hook for billions in debt if OpenAI can’t repay.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
This piece discusses, in detail, the finale of The Lowdown.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Kids aged 7 to 18 can also walk in for the shot without a prescription, as long as a parent or guardian gives consent and talks it over with the pharmacist.—
Evan Moore
November 5,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confabulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confabulate. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share