Combine vs. Amalgamate — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 27, 2024
Combine involves bringing together multiple elements to function or be considered as a whole, While suggests a thorough blending into a completely new whole, losing original distinctions.
Difference Between Combine and Amalgamate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
To combine means to bring together two or more elements, which may still retain their individual identities within the new structure. For example, combining ingredients in a salad means each ingredient remains distinct. On the other hand, to amalgamate typically means to merge elements so thoroughly that their individual identities are lost, much like metals forming an alloy.
When people or organizations combine efforts or resources, they generally work together towards a common goal while still functioning semi-independently. Whereas, when entities amalgamate, such as in a corporate merger, they integrate so completely that they operate as a single unit thereafter.
In terms of legal or formal usage, "combine" is often used to refer to the act of joining together without the necessity of forming a new entity. For example, a joint venture where companies come together for a specific project but remain separate entities. Conversely, "amalgamate" is used in contexts like corporate law where the resulting entity is entirely new.
Combine is often used in more casual or everyday contexts, like combining flavors in a recipe or combining efforts in a group project. Amalgamate, however, is generally reserved for more complex or scientific processes, such as the chemical amalgamation of mercury with other metals.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To bring together to form a whole
To blend or merge completely into a new whole
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Identity
Retains individual identities
Loses individual identities
Usage Context
Common in everyday language
More common in formal or technical contexts
Connotation
Less permanent, simpler integration
Permanent, thorough integration
Examples
Combining ingredients in cooking
Amalgamating companies through merger
Compare with Definitions
Combine
To unite or merge.
We combined our ideas to create a new business plan.
Amalgamate
To unite into one organization.
The charities amalgamated to streamline their operations.
Combine
To join forces.
The two teams combined to tackle the project.
Amalgamate
To mix or merge for a comprehensive integration.
The artist amalgamated various styles to create a unique piece.
Combine
To blend varieties.
The new product combines the best features of its predecessors.
Amalgamate
To fuse into a single entity.
The genres were amalgamated into a new form of dance music.
Combine
To mix ingredients into one mass.
Combine the flour and water to form a dough.
Amalgamate
To blend thoroughly.
The new education curriculum amalgamates traditional and modern teaching methods.
Combine
To bring together for a common purpose.
The community combined efforts to clean up the park.
Amalgamate
To merge and form a new structure.
The companies decided to amalgamate to improve market reach.
Combine
To bring into a state of unity; make united
Combined the ingredients in a bowl.
Combined the eggs and flour.
Amalgamate
To combine into a unified or integrated whole; unite.
Combine
To join (two or more substances) to make a single substance, such as a chemical compound; mix.
Amalgamate
To mix or alloy (a metal) with mercury.
Combine
To have, exhibit, or involve in combination
The choreography combines artistry and athletics.
Amalgamate
To become combined; unite.
Combine
(kŏmbīn′) To harvest (a grain crop) using a cutting, threshing, and cleaning machine.
Amalgamate
To unite or blend with another metal. Used of mercury.
Combine
To become united
Factors that combined to produce a storm.
Amalgamate
To merge, to combine, to blend, to join.
To amalgamate two races
To amalgamate one race with another
Combine
To join together for a common purpose.
Amalgamate
To make an alloy of a metal and mercury.
Combine
(Chemistry) To form a compound.
Amalgamate
To combine (free groups) by identifying respective isomorphic subgroups.
Combine
(kŏmbīn′) To harvest a grain crop using a cutting, threshing, and cleaning machine.
Amalgamate
Coalesced; united; combined.
Combine
A power-operated harvesting machine that cuts, threshes, and cleans grain.
Amalgamate
To compound or mix, as quicksilver, with another metal; to unite, combine, or alloy with mercury.
Combine
An association of people or groups united for the furtherance of political or commercial interests.
Amalgamate
To mix, so as to make a uniform compound; to unite or combine; as, to amalgamate two races; to amalgamate one race with another.
Ingratitude is indeed their four cardinal virtues compacted and amalgamated into one.
Combine
A combination.
Amalgamate
To unite in an amalgam; to blend with another metal, as quicksilver.
Combine
(transitive) To bring (two or more things or activities) together; to unite.
Combine the milk and the hot water in a large bowl.
I'm combining business and pleasure on this trip.
Amalgamate
To coalesce, as a result of growth; to combine into a uniform whole; to blend; as, two organs or parts amalgamate.
Combine
(transitive) To have two or more things or properties that function together.
Joe combines the intelligence of a rock with the honesty of a politician.
Amalgamate
Coalesced; united; combined.
Combine
(intransitive) To come together; to unite.
Two substances that easily combine
Amalgamate
To bring or combine together or with something else;
Resourcefully he mingled music and dance
Combine
(card games) In the game of casino, to play a card which will take two or more cards whose aggregate number of pips equals those of the card played.
Amalgamate
Joined together into a whole;
United Industries
The amalgamated colleges constituted a university
A consolidated school
Combine
(obsolete) To bind; to hold by a moral tie.
Combine
A combine harvester
We can't finish harvesting because our combine is stuck in the mud.
Combine
A combination
Combine
Especially, a joint enterprise of whatever legal form for a purpose of business or in any way promoting the interests of the participants, sometimes with monopolistic or fraudulent intentions.
The telecom companies were accused of having formed an illegal combine in order to hike up the network charges.
Combine
An industrial conglomeration in a socialist country, particularly in the former Soviet bloc.
Combine
(art) An artwork falling between painting and sculpture, having objects embedded into a painted surface.
Combine
(American football) A Test match in which applicants play in the hope of earning a position on a professional football team.
Combine
To unite or join; to link closely together; to bring into harmonious union; to cause or unite so as to form a homogeneous substance, as by chemical union.
So fitly them in pairs thou hast combined.
Friendship is the cement which really combines mankind.
And all combined, save what thou must combineBy holy marriage.
Earthly sounds, though sweet and well combined.
Combine
To bind; to hold by a moral tie.
I am combined by a sacred vow.
Combine
To form a union; to agree; to coalesce; to confederate.
You with your foes combine,And seem your own destruction to design
So sweet did harp and voice combine.
Combine
To unite by affinity or natural attraction; as, two substances, which will not combine of themselves, may be made to combine by the intervention of a third.
Combine
In the game of casino, to play a card which will take two or more cards whose aggregate number of pips equals those of the card played.
Combine
Harvester that heads and threshes and cleans grain while moving across the field
Combine
A consortium of independent organizations formed to limit competition by controlling the production and distribution of a product or service;
They set up the trust in the hope of gaining a monopoly
Combine
An occurrence that results in things being united
Combine
Put or add together;
Combine resources
Combine
Have or possess in combination;
She unites charm with a good business sense
Combine
Combine so as to form a whole; mix;
Compound the ingredients
Combine
Add together from different sources;
Combine resources
Combine
Join for a common purpose or in a common action;
These forces combined with others
Combine
Gather in a mass, sum, or whole
Combine
Mix together different elements;
The colors blend well
Common Curiosities
How does amalgamation affect the original entities?
In amalgamation, original entities lose their separate identities and become part of a new, unified whole.
Can you use combine and amalgamate interchangeably?
They are not typically interchangeable as amalgamate implies a deeper, more complete integration than combine.
What is an example of combining in a non-physical sense?
Combining efforts in a fundraising event where each participant contributes separately.
What is the primary difference between combine and amalgamate?
Combine keeps individual elements distinct, while amalgamate blends elements so thoroughly they lose their original identities.
What might be a simple way to explain the difference to a child?
Think of combining as playing together while keeping your toys, and amalgamating as mixing paint colors to make a new color.
How do the outcomes of combining and amalgamating differ in a practical sense?
The outcome of combining might be a coalition or partnership, while amalgamation often results in a single, new entity.
Does the choice between combine and amalgamate affect legal outcomes?
Yes, in legal contexts, the choice of terms can affect the nature of agreements and the resulting obligations and rights.
Which term is more common in corporate mergers?
Amalgamate is more common in the context of corporate mergers, emphasizing complete integration into a new entity.
Is amalgamate used outside of business contexts?
Yes, it can be used in any context where a thorough blending or integration is required, including scientific and artistic fields.
What are some synonyms for combine and amalgamate?
Synonyms for combine include merge, unite, and join; for amalgamate, synonyms include blend, fuse, and consolidate.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
