1
as in confuses
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
be careful not to conflate gossip with real news
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in combines
to turn into a single mass or entity that is more or less the same throughout
the movie conflates documentary footage and dramatized reenactments so seamlessly and ingeniously that viewers may not know what is real and what is not
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of conflates
This entire season has dissected the way that modern society conflates existential and economic purpose.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
Given that women in other countries do wear lipstick as an act of resistance today, suggesting that American feminists did so in 1912 conflates their wildly different cultural contexts, and blurs one’s sense of what constitutes public dissidence.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Tate’s commentary instead conflates population-level decline (NAEP) with performance among a selective, higher-achieving subset of students (SAT/ACT), and then treats this mismatch as evidence of test manipulation.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Critics say that definition conflates criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
Nobility is a social construct that conflates social status with positive character traits and has been used for centuries to justify the hoarding of power and wealth.
—F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025
The claim conflates strategic instruments with objectives.
—Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025
Among the crowds, which have on occasion contained tens of thousands, there have been displays of violent antisemitic sentiment, as well as language that conflates enmity toward Israel, Zionism and Jews themselves.
—Alex Holmes, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
Given that women in other countries do wear lipstick as an act of resistance today, suggesting that American feminists did so in 1912 conflates their wildly different cultural contexts, and blurs one’s sense of what constitutes public dissidence.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Tate’s commentary instead conflates population-level decline (NAEP) with performance among a selective, higher-achieving subset of students (SAT/ACT), and then treats this mismatch as evidence of test manipulation.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Critics say that definition conflates criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
Nobility is a social construct that conflates social status with positive character traits and has been used for centuries to justify the hoarding of power and wealth.
—F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025
The claim conflates strategic instruments with objectives.
—Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025
Among the crowds, which have on occasion contained tens of thousands, there have been displays of violent antisemitic sentiment, as well as language that conflates enmity toward Israel, Zionism and Jews themselves.
—Alex Holmes, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflates
Verb
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Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
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An actress in 1962 Cuban, as its missiles crisis rages, confuses her role in a film and real life.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mercury combines with Mars in your 6th House of Healthcare, pushing you to streamline tasks, speak up about workloads, and improve routines.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The belt bag combines practicality with a sporty edge, designed to be worn around the waist or slung crossbody for hands-free ease.—
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The technology efficiently merges light from dozens of semiconductor lasers into a single optical fiber while keeping energy losses extremely low.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
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Located in the downtown Arts District, Camélia merges French and Japanese cuisines.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This pilot integrates street outreach with supportive permanent housing, bypassing transitional shelter placements.—
Barbara A. Blair,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The show integrates songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The big question will be how much of that wind mixes down to the surface.—
Jacob Wycoff,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The Mean Girls mixes vodka, lemon juice, watermelon syrup and cotton candy.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The mark incorporates the franchise’s signature tri-star — a nod to the Tennessee state flag — alongside the team’s traditional blue, white and red colors.—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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These professionals provide care that incorporates lifestyle support, in addition to conventional medicine.—
Helena Kudiabor,
SELF,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Look no further than this two-story renovated machiya that masterfully blends old-school charm with modern, functional design.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2026
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Willard’s main slogan, one yet to adorn a T-shirt, blends two sometimes opposing concepts into six simple words.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conflates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflates. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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