confabulate

verb

kən-ˈfa-byə-ˌlāt How to pronounce confabulate (audio)
Definition of confabulatenext
as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem an Alzheimer's support group in which caregivers can confabulate as well as commiserate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 confabulate The errant or confabulated information that AI tools can generate is often referred to as hallucinations. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026 These failures occurred when the AI models confabulated successful operations and built subsequent actions on false premises, highlighting the risks of depending on AI assistants that can misinterpret file structures or fabricate data to hide their errors. — ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025 See above for my attempt to confabulate a story linking the three random concepts of a cat, a fire engine and a chair. — Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confabulate
  1. consult
  2. confer
  3. discuss
  4. talk
Verb
  • Since 2025, the department has consulted two psychics in Sophie’s case, according to police.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • These differing friendly formats are not new — all three specialists consulted said non-90-minute matches, whether played in public or behind closed doors, have been a regular part of pre-season for the past 20 years.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of consult
Verb
  • There were separate conversations with both managers before conferring with MLB's replay center for a rules check on what crew chief Chris Guccione said was a timing play and not a force play.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Misadventure and misbehavior leave him stranded on the porch of a sympathetic chef and restaurateur (Antonio Banderas), whose kitchen offers a tumult of volatile personalities and whose soulful wisdom confers a sense of adult responsibilities.
    — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of confer
Verb
  • In those entries, Fauci discussed his views on the origins of the coronavirus — a topic Paul has accused Fauci of issuing misleading statements on, which Fauci has long denied.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Mangione's lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan also discussed a possible guilty plea in his federal case in June, sources previously told ABC News.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of discuss
Verb
  • The coalition has been canvassing the state, visiting churches, grocery stores and neighborhoods to talk to residents about the issue and gathering 3,500 signatures to present to lawmakers in hopes of inspiring legislative change.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The hearing, in Manhattan federal court, comes as his lawyers have been talking with federal prosecutors about a possible resolution to one of two criminal cases against Mangione in Thompson’s death.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of talk

Browse Nearby Words

confabs
confabulate
confabulated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confabulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confabulate. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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 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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All