merge

verb

merged; merging

transitive verb

1
: to cause to combine, unite, or coalesce (see coalesce sense 2)
merged the two companies
2
: to blend gradually by stages that blur distinctions
individuality and uniqueness are merged and blurredNorman Kelman
3
archaic : to plunge or engulf in something : immerse

intransitive verb

1
: to become combined into one
The two banks merged.
2
: to blend or come together without abrupt change
merging traffic
mergence noun
Choose the Right Synonym for merge

mix, mingle, commingle, blend, merge, coalesce, amalgamate, fuse mean to combine into a more or less uniform whole.

mix may or may not imply loss of each element's identity.

mix the salad greens
mix a drink

mingle usually suggests that the elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately active.

fear mingled with anticipation in my mind

commingle implies a closer or more thorough mingling.

a sense of duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her

blend implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting mixture.

blended several teas to create a balanced flavor

merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements are lost in the whole.

in his mind reality and fantasy merged

coalesce implies an affinity in the merging elements and usually a resulting organic unity.

telling details that coalesce into a striking portrait

amalgamate implies the forming of a close union without complete loss of individual identities.

refugees who were readily amalgamated into the community

fuse stresses oneness and indissolubility of the resulting product.

a building in which modernism and classicism are fused

Examples of merge in a Sentence

To save the business, the owners decided to merge it with one of their competitors. The two banks merged to form one large institution. Many small companies have been forced to merge. Three lanes of traffic all merge at this point. Day slowly merged into night. Along the coast the mountains gradually merge with the shore. She merged into the crowd and disappeared.
Recent Examples on the Web Some of Shell’s boldest ideas — such as giving NBC’s 10 p.m. hour over to affiliates, merging with a rival, and turning CNBC primetime into a Fox News facsimile — never played out. Alex Sherman,lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2024 Sixteenth, which was founded in 2017 to manager creators and extend their professional lives, will merge with Whalar’s own talent agency, Whalar Talent, although retain its original name. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024 The collection, which consists of 24 products in the U.S., merges a tropical Brazilian vibe with Adidas‘ iconic three stripes, showcasing a variety of looks that reflect the essence of both brands. Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 9 Oct. 2024 However, the brand is equally accomplished on the quieter side where elegance and sophistication merge. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for merge 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'merge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin mergere; akin to Sanskrit majjati he dives

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of merge was in 1636

Dictionary Entries Near merge

Cite this Entry

“Merge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merge. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

merge

verb
merged; merging
1
: to be or cause to be swallowed up or absorbed in something else : mingle, blend
merging traffic
2
: combine sense 3a, unite
merge two business firms into one

Legal Definition

merge

verb
merged; merging

transitive verb

1
: to cause to unite, combine, or coalesce
merge one corporation with another
2
: to cause to be incorporated and superseded
one effect of a judgment is to merge therein the cause of action on which the action is broughtAmerican Jurisprudence 2d
compare bar sense 3b

intransitive verb

: to become combined : undergo merger

More from Merriam-Webster on merge

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