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

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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 An artificial intelligence agenda that started coalescing on the podcasts of Silicon Valley billionaires is now being forged into U.S. policy as President Donald Trump leans on the ideas of the tech figures who backed his election campaign. —Matt O'Brien, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025 The blended communities aren’t random animal amalgamations–zoologists believe the populations coalesce for mutual defense against predators. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2025 And many, including former Gov. David Paterson, have tried to push business leaders to coalesce behind either Adams or Cuomo. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025 And unlike the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, when national unity coalesced around the defense of Iranian sovereignty, this time the government appeared to fight without significant public support. —Shukriya Bradost, The Conversation, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for coalesce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coalesce
  1. combine
  2. cooperate
  3. unite
  4. collaborate
  5. merge
Verb
  • When deaths from heat and cold are combined, Europe has close to 50 times as many deaths as the U.S. — as many as 250,000 to 500,000 more deaths every year.
    — Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
  • The heat index combines air temperature and relative humidity to measure what the heat feels like to the human body.
    — Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of combine
Verb
  • About half of housing providers who requested to bump up their rents are cooperating with this request, said Loretta Owens, the Denver Housing Authority’s director of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
    — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Prosecutors drop charges in Hammond drug shooting Court filings show prosecutors dropped charges this week in a Hammond drug shooting, saying the victim wasn’t cooperating.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of cooperate
Verb
  • After getting out their rage, Happy and Shooter unite over preserving their love of traditional golf rather than Maxi League’s spectacle.
    — Skyler Trepel, People.com, 29 July 2025
  • New transit could help unite neighborhoods that have historically been divided by the train tracks, said Winston Von Engel, an urban planning expert.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Definition of unite
Verb
  • Oreo and Reese’s are collaborating on a new candy and what might be the perfect cookie.
    — Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
  • Officials are collaborating with local, state, and national law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to investigate the source and extent of the breach, according to the mayor's office.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Definition of collaborate
Verb
  • Expect pastel sweatshirts, tees celebrating the farm’s famous baked goods, and a limited-edition capsule merging lifestyle and design.
    — Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • For instance, Caesars Entertainment merged with Eldorado Resorts in 2020 in a $17.3 billion deal.
    — Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of merge

Browse Nearby Words

coagulating
coalesce
coalesced
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Cite this Entry

“Coalesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coalesce. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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