What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conflation
Example
The article's author made the mistake of conflating two different historical events. [conflating: verb]
Example
The conflation of the two theories resulted in a new and innovative approach. [conflation: noun]
amalgamation
Example
The company's recent amalgamation with its competitor resulted in a stronger market position. [amalgamation: noun]
Example
The chef's recipe was an amalgamation of different culinary traditions from around the world. [amalgamation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Amalgamation is more commonly used than conflation in everyday language, particularly in business or social contexts. Conflation is more commonly used in academic or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conflation and amalgamation?
Both conflation and amalgamation are formal words, but amalgamation is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while conflation is more limited to formal contexts.