concoct

verb

con·​coct kən-ˈkäkt How to pronounce concoct (audio)
kän-
concocted; concocting; concocts
Synonyms of concoctnext

transitive verb

1
: to prepare by combining raw materials
concoct a recipe
concocted a tropical fruit smoothie
2
: devise, fabricate
concoct an explanation
concocted a strategy to take control of the company
concocter noun
concoctive adjective

Examples of concoct in a Sentence

The drink was first concocted by a bartender in New York. She concocted a stew from the leftovers.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This cocktail recipe is based on a simple syrup concocted from a quart of fresh berries. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026 Fortunately, Sanctions balances its downer tendencies with moments of levity and peculiar arrangements that only Souled American could have concocted. Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026 Now Jasmine is in the middle of the second fight she’s concocted out of nowhere in one episode. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 According to the report, workers illegally pocketed between $20,000 and more than $41,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans from a massive federal COVID-19 pandemic relief effort – some by concocting companies that didn't exist to pocket federal assistance funds. Chris Tye, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for concoct

Word History

Etymology

Latin concoctus, past participle of concoquere to cook together, from com- + coquere to cook — more at cook

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of concoct was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Concoct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concoct. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

concoct

verb
con·​coct kən-ˈkäkt How to pronounce concoct (audio)
kän-
1
: to prepare by combining various ingredients
concoct a stew
2
: to think up : invent
concoct a likely story
concoction noun

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