coalesce

Definitions

co- (together) + alesce (grow) = to grow together into one. Picture two raindrops on a window swelling until they merge. Used for things fusing gradually and naturally: factions coalesce into a movement, ideas coalesce into a plan. More organic than 'combine' — it implies becoming a single whole.

Common Collocations

• 1.coalesce into合并成
• 2.coalesce around围绕……聚合
• 3.gradually coalesce逐渐融合
• 4.coalesce into one合为一体

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The small protests gradually coalesced into a national movement.

• 2.

  Over time, her scattered notes coalesced into a clear argument.

• 3.

  Tiny droplets coalesce to form larger raindrops.

Easily Confused

coalesce vs merge vs combine — combine just puts things together (combine flour and sugar). merge joins two into one, often abruptly (two companies merge). coalesce stresses a gradual, organic growing-together into a unified whole (factions slowly coalesce). Test: slow, natural fusing → coalesce.