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kumbaya

kumbaya

7 9.5
A feeling of peace and unity that seems false or forced
  • noun
  • /ˌkʌmˈbaɪə/
  • Informal
translation icon : momento kumbaya
  • Despite the kumbaya vibe down here, depending on a boat for everything is a hard way to live!
  • Kumbaya moment

And it was more in the vein of a personal kumbaya.

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Examples

  • Today, in response to a kumbaya "we're all Americans and we'll pull together" email from one of the other guys, he wrote:

    Blog text (3)
  • I don't think his vision was a happy, cheerful place where everyone holds hands and sings Kumbaya all the time.

    Blog text (8)
  • Most people out there want their kumbaya moment and say, see, we were just kind.

  • We're not all here to hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

  • Did they think Obama was just going to sit back and run on hope and Kumbaya?

    Blog text (20)
  • Another strong consideration was a kumbaya post to make us all feel warm and fuzzy.

    Blog text (28)
  • It wasn't a Kumbaya moment, but there was a piece in knowing that, well, whatever happens, you just keep writing.

  • After last month's Kumbaya moment, how will the LAPD and the Massers make out on their second date?

    Blog text (13)
  • Obama and Romney may sing Kumbaya, decide to share power, and carve up Social Security as a team.

    Blog text (22)
  • After the conference, many attendees hoped for a kumbaya moment where everyone would unite for a common cause.

Synonyms

agreement
vskumbaya
361 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

often implies seeming unity rather than deep sincere consent
accord
vskumbaya
35 4.0

A situation in which people or groups agree with each other

is often used to mean surface harmony that may be insincere
unanimity
vskumbaya
13 6.7

Complete agreement by everyone involved

is unlike this, as it usually suggests only outward unified appearance
comity
vskumbaya
  • Formal
4 9.9

Courteous behaviour and respect between people or groups

is similar but can imply only polite surface goodwill
meeting of minds
vskumbaya
2 4.2

Complete agreement and understanding between people that lets them work together

differs because it often signals only apparent or fragile agreement
communio
vskumbaya
9.9

A feeling of sharing and close unity among people

is used more ironically to mean only superficial togetherness
communitas
vskumbaya
  • Formal
9.9

A strong feeling of togetherness and equality that people feel at festivals or other shared events

is often more surface and less deeply felt than that genuine bond
comradery
vskumbaya
  • US
5.3

A feeling of trust and friendship between people who spend time together

can be used ironically to suggest only performative group warmth

Antonyms

236 3.0

An inner struggle between different feelings or desires

107 2.9

The process of making something into parts or equal parts in math

How Harmonious

utopia
18 7.7
peace
1.0
kumbaya
  • Informal
7 9.5
truce
171 4.0
tension
509 3.2
conflict
397 2.3

Surface Forms

kumbaya singular
kumbayas plural

Etymology

Kumbaya comes from a Gullah phrase come by here, which means 'come here' or 'come to me' and was used as a simple call for help and togetherness. So when people call a situation 'kumbaya' they mean a time of peace and unity, sometimes said jokingly to show the unity is only for show.