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Use dict.update() to add entries to an existing Python dictionary: it changes the dictionary in place, and incoming values replace existing values for matching keys. To merge two dictionaries without changing either input, use the | operator in Python 3.9 or later.

Choose how you want to extend the dictionary

Need Use Effect
Add entries to an existing dictionary d.update(other) Changes d in place; returns None; incoming values replace conflicts.
Merge two dictionaries and preserve both originals merged = left | right Creates a new dictionary; values from right win conflicts. Requires Python 3.9 or later.
Update an existing dictionary with operator syntax left |= other Changes left in place. Requires Python 3.9 or later.
Add or replace one entry d[key] = value Sets the value for that key.

Use update() to add or replace entries

Call update() on the dictionary you want to change. It accepts another mapping, an iterable of key-value pairs, or keyword arguments whose names are valid Python identifiers. If a key is already present, the value from the input replaces the old value.

settings = {"theme": "light", "font_size": 12}
settings.update({"theme": "dark", "show_tips": True})

print(settings)
# {'theme': 'dark', 'font_size': 12, 'show_tips': True}

You can also pass pairs when your data is not already in a dictionary:

d = {"a": 1}
d.update([("b", 2), ("c", 3)])

print(d)
# {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

For the full list of accepted inputs and behavior, see the Python documentation for dictionary methods.

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Use | to create a merged dictionary

In Python 3.9 and later, left | right returns a new dictionary. It leaves the original dictionaries unchanged, and the value from the right-hand dictionary wins if both contain the same key.

base = {"timeout": 10, "retries": 2}
custom = {"timeout": 30}
merged = base | custom

print(merged)
# {'timeout': 30, 'retries': 2}
print(base)
# {'timeout': 10, 'retries': 2}

The | operator requires dictionary operands. PEP 584, which introduced dictionary union, describes conflict handling as keeping the rightmost value: PEP 584: Add Union Operators To dict.

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Use |= for an in-place merge

Also added in Python 3.9, |= updates the dictionary on its left. Unlike |, its right-hand input can be a mapping or an iterable of key-value pairs, like the inputs accepted by update().

settings = {"theme": "light"}
settings |= [("show_tips", True)]

print(settings)
# {'theme': 'light', 'show_tips': True}

Append to a value or merge nested dictionaries explicitly

Dictionary update operates at the top level: it replaces the value associated with a duplicate key. It does not append to a list value or recursively combine nested dictionaries. Choose the value-level operation that matches your goal.

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Append to a list stored under a key

d = {"items": ["book"]}
d["items"].append("pen")

print(d)
# {'items': ['book', 'pen']}

Update a nested dictionary

To preserve existing nested entries while adding or replacing selected ones, update that nested dictionary directly:

settings = {"display": {"theme": "light", "font_size": 12}}
settings["display"].update({"theme": "dark"})

print(settings)
# {'display': {'theme': 'dark', 'font_size': 12}}

Avoid the common return-value mistake

update() changes the dictionary and returns None. Do not assign its result back to the same variable:

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d = {"a": 1}
d = d.update({"b": 2})  # d is now None

Call d.update(...) on its own line when you want an in-place change. Use merged = left | right when you need a new dictionary.

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How key order behaves

When a mapping supplies new keys, those keys are added in that mapping’s order if the mapping type has an order. Existing keys keep their positions when their values are replaced. PEP 584 explains the ordering rationale for dictionary union and update operators.

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