conflate

American  

[kuhn-fleyt] / kənˈfleɪt /

verb (used with object)

conflated, conflating

1. to fuse into one entity; merge.

   to conflate dissenting voices into one protest.

---

conflate British  

/ kənˈfleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to combine or blend (two things, esp two versions of a text) so as to form a whole

---

Other Word Forms

• conflation noun

Etymology

Origin of conflate

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin conflātus “fused together,” past participle of conflāre “to fuse together,” from con- con- + flāre “to blow” ( blow ² )

Example Sentences

Tree said there are notable differences between terrorists and cartel members and that conflating the two is intentionally confusing.

From Salon

He tells me that his words to People were conflated and taken out of context and that the outlet updated the article to more fully capture what he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

He has embarrassingly conflated Iraq and Iran, and backpedaled on whether the U.S. is at war, but he has never shied away from a cable news hit.

From Salon

A year later, the alternative rock band Eve’s Plum, fronted by Colleen Fitzpatrick, conflated wearing lipstick with female voicelessness.

From Salon

“Misinformation was circulating that conflated these parking lot safety measures with immigration enforcement. That is false,” she wrote in an email.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amalgamate
• consolidate
• converge
• fuse
• meld
• unify
• unite