coalesce

verb

ˌkō-ə-ˈles How to pronounce coalesce (audio)
Definition of coalescenext
1
as in to combine
to come together to form a single unit several small townships have coalesced into a single metropolis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cooperate
to form or enter into an association that furthers the interests of its members the historic preservation movement gained momentum when the two groups coalesced

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word coalesce different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of coalesce are amalgamate, blend, commingle, fuse, merge, mingle, and mix. While all these words mean "to combine into a more or less uniform whole," coalesce implies an affinity in the merging elements and usually a resulting organic unity.

telling details that coalesce into a striking portrait

When would amalgamate be a good substitute for coalesce?

While the synonyms amalgamate and coalesce are close in meaning, amalgamate implies the forming of a close union without complete loss of individual identities.

refugees who were readily amalgamated into the community

When can blend be used instead of coalesce?

The synonyms blend and coalesce are sometimes interchangeable, but blend implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting mixture.

blended several teas to create a balanced flavor

When might commingle be a better fit than coalesce?

The words commingle and coalesce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, commingle implies a closer or more thorough mingling.

a sense of duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her

When is fuse a more appropriate choice than coalesce?

The words fuse and coalesce can be used in similar contexts, but fuse stresses oneness and indissolubility of the resulting product.

a building in which modernism and classicism are fused

When could merge be used to replace coalesce?

Although the words merge and coalesce have much in common, merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements are lost in the whole.

in his mind reality and fantasy merged

In what contexts can mingle take the place of coalesce?

The meanings of mingle and coalesce largely overlap; however, mingle usually suggests that the elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately active.

fear mingled with anticipation in my mind

Where would mix be a reasonable alternative to coalesce?

While in some cases nearly identical to coalesce, mix may or may not imply loss of each element's identity.

mix the salad greens
mix a drink

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coalesce Failure to launch At the time of Noah’s proposal, the Zionist movement – the modern political program for Jewish national self-determination – had not yet coalesced. —Adam L. Rovner, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2025 Within hours, Democratic senators coalesced around Berman, who has represented Palm Beach County in the Senate since a 2018 special election, and before that was a member of the Florida House of Representatives. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2025 The planetary science community quickly coalesced around the idea that tidal heating within Io is responsible for the never-ending volcanism on the surface. —Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025 For one thing, most voters for the other Democrats may coalesce around Aguirre. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coalesce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coalesce
  1. combine
  2. cooperate
  3. unite
  4. collaborate
  5. merge
Verb
  • Recognizing this reality, Mexico has developed an innovative consular model that combines diplomacy, a humanitarian approach and direct action for the benefit of its population abroad.
    — Alicia G Kerber Palma, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
  • Photo by Eric Lucero Most Popular Denver’s Inside Stories combines the capabilities of a large design firm with the hands-on approach of a smaller studio, giving clients the best of both worlds.
    — Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 May 2025
Definition of combine
Verb
  • Sheriff Martinez already is failing to comply with the California Values Act, SB 54, which, since 2018, prohibits local and state law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities on most immigration enforcement actions.
    — Pedro Rios, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
  • The police arrived at some point, but Ventura wouldn’t cooperate with the officers, Morgan said.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Definition of cooperate
Verb
  • Remarkably, the vote against advancing the bill came after President Donald Trump had called on Republicans in a social media post to unite behind it.
    — Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
  • The sacrificial rituals separated gods and humans but also united them by incorporating the gods into the human system of meat distribution.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 16 May 2025
Definition of unite
Verb
  • Britain agreed the most significant reset of ties with the European Union since Brexit on Monday, removing some trade barriers and collaborating on defence to help grow its economy and boost security on the continent.
    — Kate Holton, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • The best insights come when data scientists, product managers and marketers collaborate to frame the right questions and interpret the results critically.
    — Gunjan Paliwal, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of collaborate
Verb
  • So much water flows down the mountain that Tudy Creek — normally about 4 feet across — swells and merges with another creek to form a violent river that rages down the road between them.
    — Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025
  • Things began falling apart when the team tried merging Siri’s old code with the new one.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 19 May 2025
Definition of merge

Browse Nearby Words

coagulating
coalesce
coalesced
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Coalesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coalesce. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on coalesce

Nglish: Translation of coalesce for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Commonly Misspelled Words

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Possum vs. Opossum: Is There a Difference?

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Commonly Misspelled Words

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All