Difference between unite and unify

Question

Please, I would like to ask something more:Could you tell me the difference between the verbs unite and unify?If you could mention any examples, I would be grateful.Thank you

GPY · Accepted Answer

It is not the easiest question to answer. However, for most sensible combinations of X and Y, typing difference between X and Y into Google will yield some information.

CalifJim · Answer

unite
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/unite
Come or bring together for a common purpose or action.
Come or bring together to form a unit or whole, especially in a political context.

unify
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/unify
Make or become united, uniform, or whole.

You can find examples at the links provided. Here are some others:

The new council says Syrians of all sects must unite for a multiparty democracy.
He exhorted Iraqis to unite and end the infighting that has plagued the country. 
They can see how the different colors unite to make a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Karzai has embraced several former warlords in his efforts to unify the country.
It turned out to be a land too primitive to democratize, too fractured to unify.
To unify the party, McCain will have to respect different parts of the coalition.

My informal assessment of the difference is that we unite things that are separate, but we unify things which are partially united entities to begin with. Thus, in the examples above, one Syrian sect unites with another Syrian sect; one color unites with another color. But Karzai tries to unify a single country; McCain tries to unify a single party.

CJ

Difference between unite and unify

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