1
as in confusing
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 combining
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 conflating
The report states that a series of conflating issues, such as widespread budget cuts, technological disruption, the dominance of streamers, and economic instability, have caused the feeling of fear and crisis across the industry.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Stacy Hawthorne, board chair of the Consortium for School Networking, an association for school technology officials that signed the letter, is concerned that some are conflating social media, which can cause problems for children, with technology more broadly, which can help students learn.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
With modern terminology, the anti-liberal playbook of the 1950s has returned, once more, by conflating progressive politics with communism.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Detection is not the same as impairment, and conflating the two misleads the public.
—Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
As luxury and expedition lines launch new cruise itineraries in Arctic Greenland, travelers should be wary of conflating the two polar destinations.
—Jillian Dara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
The real danger is not cultural fragmentation but conflating the costs of success with failure.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Local community leaders have urged officials and the public not to stigmatize Somali Americans in the state, warning against conflating alleged crimes by a handful of defendants with more than 80,000 people of Somali descent in the Twin Cities.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 19 Dec. 2025
There’s not much in the way of conflating Lily Collins’s own personal style with that of her indomitable, outré lead character Emily Cooper of Emily in Paris.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Stacy Hawthorne, board chair of the Consortium for School Networking, an association for school technology officials that signed the letter, is concerned that some are conflating social media, which can cause problems for children, with technology more broadly, which can help students learn.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
With modern terminology, the anti-liberal playbook of the 1950s has returned, once more, by conflating progressive politics with communism.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Detection is not the same as impairment, and conflating the two misleads the public.
—Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
As luxury and expedition lines launch new cruise itineraries in Arctic Greenland, travelers should be wary of conflating the two polar destinations.
—Jillian Dara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
The real danger is not cultural fragmentation but conflating the costs of success with failure.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Local community leaders have urged officials and the public not to stigmatize Somali Americans in the state, warning against conflating alleged crimes by a handful of defendants with more than 80,000 people of Somali descent in the Twin Cities.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 19 Dec. 2025
There’s not much in the way of conflating Lily Collins’s own personal style with that of her indomitable, outré lead character Emily Cooper of Emily in Paris.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflating
Verb
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But the notice sent last spring was so vague and confusing that few people used it to object.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The company’s messaging has been confusing and has at various points seemed to contradict its own previous statements, as well as information from the government.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The team demonstrated photonic lanterns capable of combining 7, 19, and 37 VCSEL lasers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Compare Internet is committed to helping users make informed decisions by combining real-time provider availability, transparent pricing and neutral evaluations.—
William Jones
March 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Interviewers may favor candidates who share their alma mater or communication style, mistaking familiarity for fit, Naumann says.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
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In a continuation of the running gag on the ABC mockumentary, Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Barbara’s inability to keep celebrity names straight has her mistaking Jennifer Coolidge from The White Lotus for Jennifer Lawrence.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The restaurant is mixing Dorotea Gin with Mexican corn liqueur, Oaxacan chile pasilla liqueur, Strega Liqueur, tangelo and lime.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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As your host, Lizzie Burder makes for very enjoyable company, deftly mixing child-like enthusiasm with just enough frantic dread to convince you that this whole operation could turn dangerous at any moment.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The researchers have been talking with officials about the prospect of integrating some version of ePOCT+, says Kulinkina.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
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By integrating these two types of facilities, the total electricity consumption for both the data center and the industrial plant can be reduced by more than 75%.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On March 4, the White House released a video on its official X account merging real clips of Iran missile strikes with footage from the Call of Duty video game.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
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Extending from the east side of First Street to the Braden River, the city stood for just over 100 years before merging with the city of Bradenton in 1943.—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Spring 2026 is leaning into maintenance color trends, from rooty blondes to ‘quiet silver’ gray-blending techniques.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
10 Mar. 2026
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The new Morricone doc project is divided into nine chapters, blending fictional sketches, commentary from music experts and previously unseen archival footage.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yanxiao feels that Chinese classics must make similar accommodations, incorporating different perspectives on culture and class, to remain globally relevant.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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In 1918, then-owner Philip Guichet invented the Grasshopper cocktail, incorporating white and green crème de menthe, white and dark crème de cacao, heavy whipping cream and brandy.—
Stephanie Gallman Jordan,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflating. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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