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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflates
But Kennedy’s initiative conflates that genuine clinical need with claims unsupported by evidence — and some that are actively dangerous.
—
Jonathan Slater, STAT, 13 May 2026
Equating blanket surveillance with public safety conflates convenience with necessity.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Some protesters have displayed antisemitic sentiment, and used language that conflates enmity toward Israel, Zionism and Jews themselves.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 1 May 2026
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
Jonathan Slater, STAT, 13 May 2026
Equating blanket surveillance with public safety conflates convenience with necessity.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Some protesters have displayed antisemitic sentiment, and used language that conflates enmity toward Israel, Zionism and Jews themselves.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 1 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflates
Verb
-
There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.—
Monica Cutia,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The whole concept of toxic fandom confuses me because, outside of the anger and backwards thinking, because who cares about a movie franchise that much?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
With each development milestone, MBDA moves closer to delivering a next-generation air-to-air weapon that combines advanced sensors, extended range, and superior flexibility.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
-
After Rieder wins the second ball and combines with Ndoye, Widmer dashes forward and attacks the space between Kosovo’s full-back and left-winger.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
An elephant’s head merges with the body of a cactus that wears Birkenstock-style sandals.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 June 2026
-
The barrel-leg is so trendy right now, and this Lululemon find merges the cut with a cozy pair of sweats, resulting in polished, modern pants that look and feel good.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The device integrates both the signal encoder and optical detector on a single silicon chip manufactured using an eight-inch wafer process commonly used in semiconductor production.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 June 2026
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Each piece carries a sense of place, but also integrates quietly into everyday life.—
Rebecca Cope,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
For graphic interest that still reads neutral, Quiet Town's Tam mixes clay, chocolate, and cream tones.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Architectural Digest,
3 June 2026
-
Set in a quiet residential neighborhood, this intimate beachfront property (whose name mixes the owners’ first initials with the Dutch word for oasis) uses dense, vibrant landscaping and shutters and stone walls between guest rooms to create a cocooning feeling of privacy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Cure and New Wave are huge sonic inspirations throughout the new album as Rodrigo incorporates Eighties synths and instrumentation.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2026
-
This article incorporates details from an article originally published April 18, 2023.—
Dillon Amaya,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
From a looks perspective, the XLE blends right in with the rest of the Mammoth lineup.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
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The broader Lanserhof approach blends traditional naturopathy with the latest medical findings, energy medicine, psychology and chronomedicine.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conflates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflates. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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