confabulation

noun

1
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue there seemed to be some sort of lengthy confabulation going on in the next room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in chatter
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this began our confabulation with that traditional icebreaker: an innocuous discussion of the weather

Synonyms & Similar 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 confabulation Some scientists say the persistent challenge of AI confabulation may never be fixed. — Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026 Actual researchers can evaluate the AI bot's suggestions against their deep knowledge of their field, spotting errors and rejecting confabulations. — ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025 Often, such confabulations appear to be truthful and can mislead users accordingly. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confabulation
  1. discussion
  2. chatter
  3. consultation
  4. chat
  5. debate
  6. talk
  7. consult
  8. gossip
Noun
  • The Czech billionaire still intends to become West Ham’s majority shareholder and discussions are ongoing.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, the government banned media discussions about his health, calling them a national security matter.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of discussion
Noun
  • Then, later that same day, Reid took to her Instagram story to seemingly dismiss the online chatter about the latest casting news.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • It's long been rumored to be called Pixel Glow, though recently there's been chatter that it'll be called HiLight.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of chatter
Noun
  • Earlier this week, the EFL confirmed it had been served with legal proceedings by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) over changes enacted in League One, with the PFA citing insufficient consultation on the rule amendments.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Diplomatic efforts today too often grant the Taliban a formal place at the table while limiting contact with Afghan women to informal consultations.
    — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of consultation
Noun
  • Phones carry cyberbullying, group-chat disputes, read receipts and the pressure to remain constantly available.
    — Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But for a little over 200 minutes, Birthright gives audiences a break from debating these issues in the group chat or the comment section.
    — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of chat
Noun
  • Yet, how much the shift will improve the financial lot of clubs is up for debate.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Yet the underlying biology of aging remains a matter of uncertainty and debate.
    — Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • This comes after a first bid of €46 million was knocked back once talks with Real Madrid broke down and Rodri agreed to join the Catalans.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Construction began in late 2023 to build restrooms, a parking lot with 80 spaces, a ranger station, a small amphitheater for ranger talks, and wide paths that will enable access for those with disabilities.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of talk
Noun
  • Mark Vrtiska does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
    — Mark Vrtiska, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
  • In these cases, Hirsch recommends coming in at least six months in advance for an initial consult and injectable treatments.
    — Rio Viera-Newton, Vogue, 23 July 2026
Definition of consult
Noun
  • That was the evening Hilton, who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a celebrity gossip blogger, appeared to engage in self-harm during a livestream.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lavandeira also defended her brother, who in the early aughts burst onto the internet’s celebrity culture and gossip scene with shocking headlines and often lewd doodles over celeb images.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of gossip

Browse Nearby Words

confabulating
confabulation
confabulations
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Confabulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confabulation. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All