conflate
to combine two or more things, often incorrectly, treating distinct concepts as a single one
Word origin: From Latin conflare, to blow together or fuse (com- together plus flare to blow).
Conflate in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing conflate in a sentence.
Critics argued that the report conflated correlation and causation in its central argument.
The essay conflates correlation with causation, a confusion that weakens its conclusion.
Using “conflate” well
Conflate means to merge distinct things, often mistakenly, treating them as one. The error of blurring real differences is central to the word.
More GRE words starting with C
a small secret group plotting against a government or authority
having a hidden or mysterious meaning understood only by initiates
a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds
to obtain something by begging or sponging off others
falling off or shed at an early stage, especially of plant parts
to coax someone into doing something through flattery or persuasion
an event causing great damage, loss, or distress
misty, dim, or dark, and therefore obscure
Questions about “conflate”
See these words the way the GRE tests them.
Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.