merger
MUR-juh
Merger (noun) means the joining of two or more organizations, especially companies, into a single one. Example: “After the merger, the two small firms shared one office and one name.”
noun
1
The joining of two or more organizations, especially companies, into a single one.
"Club mergers reduced the number of teams by half"
"After the merger, the two small firms shared one office and one name."
"The merger created the largest airline in the region."
"Employees worried the merger would mean layoffs."
How to use merger
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhen two organizations combine to become one.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
company merger
merger and acquisition
proposed merger
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Word forms
- Plural
- mergers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After the _____, the two small firms shared one office and one name.
Etymology
Formed from merge plus the suffix -er, originally as a legal term for the absorption of one estate, right, or business into another.
Synonyms
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amalgamation
consolidation
union
unification
tie-up
coalition
uniting
combination
fusion
phonemic merger
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for merger
See all rhymes for merger →Frequently asked questions
What does “merger” mean?
The word “merger” means the joining of two or more organizations, especially companies, into a single one. In plain terms, when two organizations combine to become one.
How do you pronounce “merger”?
“Merger” is pronounced MUR-juh (/ˈmɝ.d͡ʒɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “merger” in a sentence?
Here is “merger” used in a sentence: “The merger created the largest airline in the region.”
What is another word for “merger”?
Words with a similar meaning to “merger” include combination, fusion and phonemic merger.
What is the opposite of “merger”?
The opposite of “merger” — its antonyms — is division.
What part of speech is “merger”?
“Merger” is a noun.
Is “merger” a common word?
“Merger” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a merger and an acquisition?
In a merger, two or more companies combine to form a single organization, usually as relative equals. An acquisition is when one company buys and absorbs another, which then continues under the buyer's control. The two are often grouped as "mergers and acquisitions" (M&A), but they describe different structures.
What is the difference between a merger and a takeover?
A merger is usually a mutually agreed joining of two organizations into one, while a takeover implies one company gaining control of another. "Merger" carries a friendlier, more cooperative tone, whereas a takeover can be hostile.
What prepositions are used with merger?
Merger most often pairs with "with" and "between": a firm announces a merger with a rival, or reports a merger between two companies. You can also describe the merger "of" two organizations into one.
What is the difference between a merger and a consolidation?
In a merger, one organization typically survives and absorbs the other, while a consolidation combines two or more into an entirely new entity. In everyday business language, however, the two words are often used interchangeably.
