Synonyms

consolidate

American

[kuhn-sol-i-deyt] / kənˈsɒl ɪˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

to bring together (separate parts) into a single or unified whole; unite; combine.

They consolidated their three companies.
to discard the unused or unwanted items of and organize the remaining.

She consolidated her home library.
to make solid or firm; solidify; strengthen.

to consolidate gains.
Military. to strengthen by rearranging the position of ground combat troops after a successful attack.

verb (used without object)

to unite or combine.
to become solid or firm.

adjective

consolidated.

consolidate British

/ kənˈsɒlɪˌdeɪt /

verb

to form or cause to form into a solid mass or whole; unite or be united
to make or become stronger or more stable
military to strengthen or improve one's control over (a situation, force, newly captured area, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of consolidate

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin consolidātus “made solid,” past participle of consolidāre “to make solid,” equivalent to con- + solid + -ate ¹

Explanation

Consolidate means to bring together. If you consolidate student loans, you put them all together into one big loan. If you consolidate your childhood toys, you grab them all up and put them in one place. Preferably a toy box. Consolidate comes from the Latin roots com- ("together") and solidare ("to make solid"). So, consolidate is to bring things together to make something solid, stronger, or easier to handle. A general might consolidate his troops, a librarian might consolidate his grammar books, and someone with credit-card debt might consolidate the debt from different cards onto one.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Currently the world's second-biggest tourist destination, just behind France, Spain is expected to consolidate its recent success in 2026.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

For centuries, marriage was not the consecration of love, but rather an economic transaction between families who paired up their children in order to consolidate power and land ownership.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

While the market is supportive of long-term equity growth, he acknowledges that there could be some near-term declines or choppiness as the market tries to consolidate this latest rally.

From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026

Gleit said the company intends to eventually consolidate its various offerings under a single brand called Meta One.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

There’s nothing to affirm a tribal identity, or consolidate power around a leader, like having an Other to denounce.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023