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

He said the media and advocates often conflate “solitary confinement” with what he termed restrictive housing, where people are sometimes put under mental health observation, for medical reasons or during investigations.

From Los Angeles Times

Often conflated as one and the same, both native species have distinguished themselves in Bad Bunny’s visuals.

From Los Angeles Times

Although Sikhism is a separate religion from Islam, hate crime perpetrators often conflate Muslims with anyone who looks Middle Eastern, and Sikhs with turbans and long beards are often targets.

From Los Angeles Times

Gray calls this attitude part of “conspicuous resilience,” conflating being temporarily displaced and inconvenienced with being oppressed and vulnerable, leading to the celebration and glorification of a recovery that mostly benefits the few.

From Los Angeles Times

Right-wing movies like “God’s Not Dead” conflate having to tolerate difference with outright persecution, as if merely allowing an atheist to exist undisturbed is the same as being crucified.

From Salon

Related Words

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