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 Pressure has risen in recent weeks for opposition to Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, to coalesce behind one candidate. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 4 Sep. 2025 Across the galaxy, stars are born in immense clouds of gas and dust — stellar nurseries where gravity coaxes material to coalesce and ignite. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025 The book functions as a set of nesting dolls, offering stories embedded in stories, a series of overlapping detours and evasions that ultimately coalesce as a vivid and coherent whole. —Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 At best, this is a top-10 defense just waiting to coalesce. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coalesce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coalesce
  1. combine
  2. cooperate
  3. unite
  4. collaborate
  5. merge
Verb
  • The scent is smoky yet sweet, spicy yet smooth, dark but with an underlying lightness—the result of combining clean white musk with rose, tobacco, suede, and cumin.
    — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The country now surpasses the cocaine production of South American countries Peru and Bolivia combined.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of combine
Verb
  • His comments come as South Korea reels from the raids – one of the largest by US immigration enforcement agencies in recent years, and which threatens to create a rift between two close partners that have long cooperated on military and economic matters.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The report was shared with authorities, and the district cooperated with the investigation, Bohrer said.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of cooperate
Verb
  • Charlie inspired millions, and tonight, all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act.
    — Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of unite
Verb
  • More advanced methods, including differential privacy and federated learning, allow researchers to collaborate without moving sensitive data outside hospital walls.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Pliops is collaborating with Tensormesh, inference optimization software.
    — Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of collaborate
Verb
  • The lakehouse merges with the best of both worlds.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • With masses equivalent to millions or even billions of suns, supermassive black holes are too massive to have been born from dying stars; instead, it is theorized that they are created when smaller black holes collide and merge, and a chain of progressively larger and larger mergers.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of merge

Browse Nearby Words

coagulating
coalesce
coalesced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coalesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coalesce. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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