conflation

[ kuhn-fley-shuhn ]

noun

1. the process or result of fusing items into one entity; fusion; amalgamation.
2. Bibliography.
   1. the combination of two variant texts into a new one.
   2. the text resulting from such a combination.

Word History and Origins

Origin of conflation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word conflātiō. See conflate, -ion

Example Sentences

Rothchild notes that a bad faith conflation of antisemitism and anti-Zionism, or a reluctance to criticize actions of the State of Israel even when they violate international law, has led to a culture of silence and fear within the medical community.

From Salon

We were part of the group unknowingly beta testing the conflation of health, vitality and luxury shopping.

From Los Angeles Times

But the baseline assumption should not be that these words and phrases are antisemitic unless and until it can be established that they are accompanied by anti-Jewish stereotypes, animus against Jews as Jews, or conflation of Jews and Israelis.

From Los Angeles Times

But perhaps the most absurd part of Trump’s quote was his conflation of the word “strongman” with the descriptor “tough person.”

From Slate

Further, while I do not doubt that some people at some protests crossed over into antisemitism this year, the conflation of the protests with antisemitism remains problematic: Netanyahu may have tried to draw a straight line between conspiracies around the Jewish people and criticism of the Jewish state in his address to Congress, but Harris doesn’t have to follow his lead.

From Slate

Related Words

• fusion
• pluralism