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
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.
Drawing inspiration from his childhood memories in India, an old tinsel tree inherited from his aunt, Gupta merges cultural influences to create a unique, joyful tribute to the festive spirit. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 In 2019, Cindi Berger and Mark Owens merged Hollywood’s two largest publicity firms, PMK*BNC and Rogers & Cowan, forming a marketing colossus with Berger as chairman and Owens as CEO. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024 Over the course of the last 25 years, 11 airlines have been merged into four major carriers — American, United, Delta and Southwest — which together handle about 80% of US air traffic. Chris Isidore, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024 The Publicists Guild merged with the ICG in 2002, and its first Publicists Awards Luncheon was held in 1964. Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for merge 

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 2 Dec. 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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