merge

verb

ˈmərj 

merged; merging

transitive verb

1

: to cause to combine, unite, or coalesce (see coalesce sense 2)

merged the two companies

2

: to blend gradually by stages that blur distinctions

individuality and uniqueness are merged and blurred

—Norman Kelman

3

archaic : to plunge or engulf in something : immerse

intransitive verb

1

: to become combined into one

The two banks merged.

2

: to blend or come together without abrupt change

merging traffic

mergence

ˈmər-jən(t)s 

noun

Synonyms

• amalgamate
• blend
• combine
• comingle
• commingle
• commix
• composite
• concrete
• conflate
• fuse
• homogenize
• immingle
• immix
• incorporate
• integrate
• interfuse
• intermingle
• intermix
• meld
• mingle
• mix

Choose the Right Synonym for merge

mix, mingle, commingle, blend, merge, coalesce, amalgamate, fuse mean to combine into a more or less uniform whole.

mix may or may not imply loss of each element's identity.

mix the salad greens

mix a drink

mingle usually suggests that the elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately active.

fear mingled with anticipation in my mind

commingle implies a closer or more thorough mingling.

a sense of duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her

blend implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting mixture.

blended several teas to create a balanced flavor

merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements are lost in the whole.

in his mind reality and fantasy merged

coalesce implies an affinity in the merging elements and usually a resulting organic unity.

telling details that coalesce into a striking portrait

amalgamate implies the forming of a close union without complete loss of individual identities.

refugees who were readily amalgamated into the community

fuse stresses oneness and indissolubility of the resulting product.

a building in which modernism and classicism are fused

Examples of merge in a Sentence

To save the business, the owners decided to merge it with one of their competitors.

The two banks merged to form one large institution.

Many small companies have been forced to merge.

Three lanes of traffic all merge at this point.

Day slowly merged into night.

Along the coast the mountains gradually merge with the shore.

She merged into the crowd and disappeared.

Recent Examples on the Web

Alphabet last year merged its two AI research units, Google Brain and DeepMind, under DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis. —Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024

Disney in February merged its news division and its local stations under a single executive, Debra O’Connell, while NBCUniversal has steadily given Cesar Conde, chairman of its news operations, more say over local stations and its Spanish-language Telemundo division. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024

After two-thirds of the battalion had been killed or wounded, the survivors were merged with another T.D.F. unit, which had suffered comparable losses. —Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

The release noted that out of nearly 200 measurements of compact object masses, only one other merger involved an object in the apparent mass gap, that one merging with a black hole. —Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 Apr. 2024

Their temple — formed last summer in the affluent neighborhood of Woodland Hills when two synagogues merged — would be a beacon of goodwill and understanding, a place where L.A. Jews and Muslims could gather in mutual toleration, appreciation and grace. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

After leaving the Community Service Organization in 1962, Chávez and Huerta helped found the National Farm Workers Association, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers labor union. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024

Since going public, Endeavor also spun out its UFC business and merged it with the WWE to create TKO Group Holdings, a public company that will continue to be traded. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024

Get The Recipe 47 of 54 Mint Julep Sweet Tea Two classic Southern drinks—the mint julep and sweet tea—merge for a drink made for sipping on a hot and humid night. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin mergere; akin to Sanskrit majjati he dives

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Kids Definition

merge

verb

ˈmərj 

merged; merging

1

: to be or cause to be swallowed up or absorbed in something else : mingle, blend

merging traffic

2

: combine sense 3a, unite

merge two business firms into one

Legal Definition

merge

verb

ˈmərj 

merged; merging

transitive verb

1

: to cause to unite, combine, or coalesce

merge one corporation with another

2

: to cause to be incorporated and superseded

one effect of a judgment is to merge therein the cause of action on which the action is brought

—American Jurisprudence 2d

compare bar sense 3b

intransitive verb

: to become combined : undergo merger