confluent
4 synonyms and 3 antonyms for confluent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Flowing or merging together into one, especially of streams, rivers or currents.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
converging
coalescing
Antonyms
How to use confluent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
confluent rivers
confluent rash
eighty per cent confluent
confluent lesions
Formal or technical. Everyday speech uses 'merging' or 'joining' instead.
Etymology
From Latin confluentem, the present participle of confluere 'to flow together', formed from con- 'together' and fluere 'to flow'.
Full origin of confluent →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between confluent and confluence?
Confluent is the adjective describing things that flow together, and confluence is the noun for the act or the place where they meet. Two rivers are confluent at their confluence.
What does confluent mean in cell culture?
It means the cells have multiplied until they cover the entire growth surface and are in contact with their neighbours. Cultures are usually passaged before reaching full confluence because crowded cells stop dividing normally.
What does a confluent rash mean?
It means individual spots have grown or multiplied enough to merge into large solid areas of redness rather than staying separate. It is often noted as a sign that a rash is progressing.
