as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem
an Alzheimer's support group in which caregivers can confabulate as well as commiserate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 confabulate
Confabulation seems to be more frequent in the face of repeatedly unpacking a memory; in other words, someone like EpicJourneyMan, who regularly ordered children’s videos and watched them to find damaged tape, is more likely to confabulate a specific memory from that material.
—
Caitlin Aamodt, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2017
See above for my attempt to confabulate a story linking the three random concepts of a cat, a fire engine and a chair.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2010
Consider Samuel and Miranda in their hotel’s breakfast area:
The personnel dressed in white jackets the next morning were busy confabulating and joking with one another while cheesy loud music was playing in the background.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
Then Michael confabulated much longer and more fruitfully.
—Josh Rottenberg, latimes.com, 9 Oct. 2017
Caitlin Aamodt, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2017
See above for my attempt to confabulate a story linking the three random concepts of a cat, a fire engine and a chair.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2010
Consider Samuel and Miranda in their hotel’s breakfast area:
The personnel dressed in white jackets the next morning were busy confabulating and joking with one another while cheesy loud music was playing in the background.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
Then Michael confabulated much longer and more fruitfully.
—Josh Rottenberg, latimes.com, 9 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confabulate
Verb
-
Michael consulted the on-line National Archives (archives.gov) in confirming historical events for this post.—
Michael Peregrine,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Clearly, no Indigenous folks were consulted in the ideation of this cute little photo-op moment.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
The law confers absolute liability on contractors and building owners when a worker is injured on a construction site.—
Nick Langworthy,
New York Daily News,
3 July 2025
-
The station representative stepped away, conferred and returned with an answer.—
Matthew Glowicki,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
In a survey of 404 regular users of AI companionship apps, researchers at MIT Media Lab found that 12 percent of respondents initially sought out these systems to cope with loneliness, and 14 percent used them to discuss personal or mental-health issues.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
There were hundreds of paintings in the show, but this was one of only maybe five that were discussed in the newspapers.—
Karin Wulf,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Not talking an exceptionally high level; not the top-shelf stuff.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
14 July 2025
-
General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with media during a press conference at Staples Center on August 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confabulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confabulate. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share