Meaning & use
uniting
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“uniting” is a form of “unite”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Bringing together separate people or things to form a single group, whole, or purpose.
Grammar: Takes an object: uniting the groups. The object is what is being brought together.
Patterns
- unite someone/something
- unite someone/something with someone/something
- unite against someone/something
- unite in doing something
The leader succeeded in uniting the divided factions.
The tragedy had the effect of uniting the community.
They are uniting their efforts to fight climate change.
verbintransitive
Coming together to form a single group or whole.
Grammar: No object; often followed by with or against: unite with allies.
Patterns
- unite with someone
- unite against someone/something
- unite in something
The two parties united to form a coalition.
The workers united against the new policy.
The countries united in their response to the crisis.
Word forms
| third person singular | unites |
|---|---|
| past tense | united |
| past participle | united |
| present participle | uniting |
Common combinations
- uniting force
- Music can be a uniting force in troubled times.
- uniting people
- The festival is about uniting people from different backgrounds.
- uniting against
- The communities are uniting against the planned closure.
- uniting behind
- The party is uniting behind its new leader.
Synonyms and how they differ
- combining
- Focuses on mixing things together; uniting often suggests a common purpose or emotional bond.
- joining
- More general and physical; uniting is often used for groups, ideas, or causes.
- merging
- Used especially for organizations or companies becoming one; uniting is broader.
Opposites
Word family
- unite verb
- To join together as a group or whole.
- united adjective
- Joined together for a common purpose.
- unity noun
- The state of being joined or in agreement.
- unification noun
- The process of bringing separate parts together.
Commonly confused: uniting or uniting vs uniting?
uniting vs uniting vs uniting
No common confusion.
Practice
The new manager focused on ______ the two departments into one team.
Choose one answer.
Uniting means bringing together into one. The other options mean the opposite: dividing, separating, and splitting all suggest breaking apart.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “uniting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.