1
as in to bond
to form a close personal relationship
she and I relate so well it's almost like we're siblings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to describe
to give an oral or written account of in some detail
we asked our uncle to relate the story of his visit to communist Russia many years ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pertain
to have a relation or connection
how does your comment relate to what the rest of us have been talking about for the last hour?
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to associate
to think of (something) in combination
most Americans probably relate tea to the United Kingdom and coffee to the U.S.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relate
As Stephen Greenblatt relates thrillingly in his new biography, Dark Renaissance, Marlowe led a brief and stormy life that deeply transformed the theater.
—
Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
The proposal would ban Fletcher from ever selling or advertising boats, rafts or related goods and services, as well as travel- or vacation-related services in Idaho or to Idaho residents.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025
Life was busy, but full, and her millions of followers either related or felt connected to Kiser because of it.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
This one ratchets up the paranoia even more than usual, putting Ron through the wringer once again with a series of bizarre and possibly related inconveniences.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relate
Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
The proposal would ban Fletcher from ever selling or advertising boats, rafts or related goods and services, as well as travel- or vacation-related services in Idaho or to Idaho residents.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025
Life was busy, but full, and her millions of followers either related or felt connected to Kiser because of it.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
This one ratchets up the paranoia even more than usual, putting Ron through the wringer once again with a series of bizarre and possibly related inconveniences.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate
Verb
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It was acquired as a limited series by Amazon; production was delayed by the pandemic, which gave the actors who made up the band—fronted by Riley Keough, granddaughter of Elvis Presley, as Daisy—time to bond and feel more like a real group by the time the show aired in 2023.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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It’s designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the early 2010s, Courtois was part of the team that discovered and described the Laniakea supercluster of galaxies to which our Milky Way belongs.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Roberts Giuffre died by suicide in April, months before the publication of her book describing years of abuse.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Before the settlement, legal observers’ predicted that the suit would be dismissed due to industry norms pertaining to interview editing.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
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Other details in the filing presumably pertain to the overdose death of Akira Stein, daughter of Blondie member Chris Stein.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the time Farzam was no longer a cadet or associated with the local police department.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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Its natural deodorizing properties help neutralize the unpleasant smells associated with pets, according to Stein.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Both sonnets offer the captive—and Cervantes—an opportunity to commemorate and mourn, to bear witness and to commune with the dead, at least for a bit.—
Ed Simon
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
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The universally accessible All Persons Trail at Broadmoor winds through a hemlock forest to a boardwalk, where hikers may commune with wildlife on Pike’s Pond.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The judge also noted she had not previously been told a mechanic had worked on the car, and also the government has given at least two different accounts of who approved the car’s removal to Maine.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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While many people might rush to see a doctor after such a discovery, Farrington put it off, telling herself that the lump would disappear naturally.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Regional restrictions may apply.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Future research could explore whether similar biases apply to other visible traits, such as race or disability.—
Abby Frank,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When the bodies of the drowned are retrieved, they’re sent to Alexandroupoli to be identified.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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The latest transfer of remains comes after Hamas handed over the bodies of two deceased hostages on Thursday evening, identified as Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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