ASSIMILATION Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

assimilation

noun

Definition of assimilation

as in understanding

the act or process of learning or gaining understanding The dog's rapid assimilation of new tricks pleased his owners.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in integration

the act or an instance of fitting in or conforming Their assimilation into a new culture was difficult at times.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 assimilation But maybe assimilation is just what happens to anyone — spaceman or otherwise — who really enters the fray of humanity. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026 For the Cahen d’Anvers, patronage and assimilation into France’s Third Republic go hand in hand. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 Amid shrinking recognition, the Tibetan exile community also faces a brain drain to the West, where assimilation dilutes their culture. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026 What begins as a history play transforms into a sharp-eyed satire about the cost of assimilation in a society where money, power and white privilege remain stubbornly intertwined. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for assimilation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for assimilation

Noun

Another key element to Rashford’s return has been his understanding with Shaw.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The Atlas promises to make the job of biologists and medical researchers considerably easier, potentially speeding up the understanding of genetic diseases and the hunt for possible cures.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of understanding

Noun

Deployed both ways The AQNav uses a software-first architecture that is designed for integration into current and future defense systems.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
Engineers and operators can compare those recommendations with actual plant performance before allowing tighter integration.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of integration

Noun

That is reminiscent of cigarette manufacturers intentionally modifying chemical formulations, such as adding ammonia compounds, to enhance the speed and efficiency of nicotine absorption to maintain user addiction.

— Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026
Spinach contains oxalate, which may affect calcium absorption and contribute to kidney stones.

— Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of absorption

Noun

United’s head coach had a face like thunder post-match, and understandably so after his team allowed two points to slip through their grasp in the dying seconds.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
In the same way that the ball bounced off Darren Morris’ fingers and disappeared into the crowded Oregon bench, another chance to defeat a Power Four opponent slipped agonizingly through Boise State’s grasp on Saturday afternoon.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of grasp

Noun

Now apply that to everything else that a student might do in an educational setting, from reading comprehension to reasoning to critical thinking to even making friends.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Because the underlying models are beyond the level of human comprehension, the only way to make models reliable and predictable today is to corral them with harnesses and other AI models that keep them in check.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of comprehension

Noun

Beatrice, played by actual academic Anne-Laure Sellier, is a professor at Columbia whose work focuses on how historical conceptions of memory can inform present-day studies of the brain.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
The move would have been difficult to imagine under the traditional conception of college sports.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of conception

Noun

Rather than eating them plain, Ellick recommends toppings like nut butter, cottage cheese, hummus, avocado, fruits, and vegetables to make rice cakes more satisfying while slowing digestion.

— Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026
Adding walnuts to your daily diet can also support healthy digestion, cholesterol, heart health, mood, and longevity.

— Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of digestion

Browse Nearby Words

assimilating

assimilation

assimilationism

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Assimilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assimilation. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of assimilation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on assimilation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes