combinations

noun

plural of combination
1
as in mixtures
a distinct entity formed by the combining of two or more different things a victory that was due to a combination of luck and planning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mergers
the act or an instance of joining two or more things into one the combination of mint and chocolate in a delicious dessert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cartels
a number of businesses or enterprises united for commercial advantage the companies formed a combination in an attempt to establish a monopoly in the rubber market

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in alliances
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection a combination of citizens dedicated to fighting higher property taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 combinations The three colors are mixed in different combinations and ratios, producing 16 different shades. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026 New patterns, colors and fabric combinations give brands room to reinterpret the jacket without touching its recognizable shape. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 Some material combinations also raise biocompatibility concerns, particularly for medical implants. — New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026 Rather than assigning a class based on a single characteristic, the system considers combinations of properties, including texture, mineralogy, pH and profile thickness — the depth of the soil layer. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Intarsia cashmere, combinations of leather and chiffon, and silk knitwear are areas of interest, with softness and lightness informing the broader wardrobe. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 The unusual career combinations recently went viral on social media. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 After Mike Tirico left in 2016 and Jon Gruden returned to coaching after the 2017 season, the network cycled through various combinations involving Steve Levy, Sean McDonough, Joe Tessitore, Booger McFarland, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Large-scale features continue to draw on combinations of physical construction, photography, animation and simulation, with the balance determined by the requirements of each sequence. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combinations
  1. mixtures
  2. mergers
  3. cartels
  4. alliances
  5. mixes
  6. consolidations
  7. syndicates
  8. coalitions
Noun
  • The system uses algorithms and neural networks to find the most suitable metal mixtures and processing methods.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • At the cold-hold unit, tomato mixtures temped at 50 degrees for approximately one hour.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of mixtures
Noun
  • But these mergers are far too rare to explain the abundance of heavier elements in the universe.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Neoclouds would not be going out of business en masse, Lovelock reiterated, but could be subject to consolidation, such as takeovers and mergers.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of mergers
Noun
  • In Mexico, the cartels have been using drones to attack each other or Mexican law enforcement.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Plot summary Set in 1980s West Texas, the film follows Vietnam War veteran Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), who happens upon the bloody aftermath of a desert shoot-out resulting from a drug deal gone wrong between American and Mexican cartels.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cartels
Noun
  • Most of Iran’s regional neighbors field militaries armed by the US but have slowly begun diversifying their arsenals and formalizing new military alliances amid concerns over Washington’s commitment to defending its allies.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • This bipartisanship on attitudes about AI and data centers appears also to show up in alliances on the ground and, in some cases, in new organizations with a focus on thwarting data centers.
    — Barbara A. Trish, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of alliances
Noun
  • In 2003, however, Kember made a splash with Forged Prescriptions, a re-release that favored fuller mixes and extra overdubs which the band had jettisoned owing to the difficulty of reproducing them.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • What’s more, the mixes can be used straight from the envelope as a dry rub for meat, as a base for dips, or even as a popcorn seasoning.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of mixes
Noun
  • Insurance broker Rash believes this rating overhaul is accelerating plan consolidations across Florida.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Address chronic absenteeism and declining enrollment by strengthening neighborhood schools, strategic consolidations with community input and adequate resources.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of consolidations
Noun
  • Visages closed its doors in 2000 amid the shift to digital, industry consolidation and competition from major syndicates including Getty Images and Corbis.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • While some more nefarious syndicates might hold your steering or brakes for ransom, a far more common target is your private information.
    — Mike McRae October 20, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of syndicates
Noun
  • Throughout American history, interfaith coalitions have created powerful change and served as sources of inspiration, Segal said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Washington’s unilateralism and fondness for ad hoc coalitions have also gone too far.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of coalitions

Browse Nearby Words

combination
combinations
combine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combinations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combinations. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All