conflate

[kuhn-fleyt]

verb (used with object)

conflated, conflating 

1. to fuse into one entity; merge.

   to conflate dissenting voices into one protest.

conflate

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of conflate¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of conflate¹

C16: from Latin conflāre to blow together, from flāre to blow

Example Sentences

I think that’s one of the reasons why no one’s really wanted to touch this issue for this age group because they conflate it with the Middle East.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By then, a second, older, more obscure conflict was resurfacing, conflated in social media and online commentary in the U.S. with Boko Haram.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And while Sweeney has certainly faced her own share of critics throughout her relatively young career, director David Michôd’s film is eager to conflate these two stories.

Read more on Salon

The political right often—usually with justification—accuses liberals of distorting its take on immigration by conflating people who come here lawfully with those who flout the rules.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The statement said conflating voluntary migration and refugee asylum was a "serious mischaracterisation" that undermines international systems to protect persecuted people.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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