fraternize

verb

frat·​er·​nize ˈfra-tər-ˌnīz How to pronounce fraternize (audio)
fraternized; fraternizing

intransitive verb

1
: to associate or mingle as brothers or on fraternal terms
fraternized with the other guests at the party
2
a
: to associate on close terms with members of a hostile group especially when contrary to military orders
were ordered not to fraternize with the enemy
b
: to be friendly or amiable
fraternization noun
fraternizer noun

Did you know?

Both fraternize and fraternal (meaning "of, relating to, or involving brothers") come to us, by way of Medieval Latin, from Latin frater, meaning "brother." Other frater descendants in English include friar, fraternity, and confraternity ("a society devoted especially to a religious or charitable cause"). Even brother itself shares a relationship with frater. These days, although fraternize can still refer to a brotherly association or simple friendliness, it often occurs in contexts, such as "fraternizing with the enemy," implying friendliness toward someone who would be better avoided.

Examples of fraternize in a Sentence

It is usually unwise to fraternize with your employees. don't fraternize just with people of the same race, religion, or social background
Recent Examples on the Web Groundhogs like to be alone, and will hiss and bark to keep it that way While groundhogs males are known to fraternize with multiple mates per season, that’s about as social as the species is known to be. USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2024 And Hamas, like the Nazis, saw anyone fraternizing with Jews as Jews by association. Leo Pearlman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2024 The meeting was covert; fraternizing with the enemy was not allowed. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2024 He will still be permitted to walk onto the House floor and fraternize with members. Kevin Freking The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2023 As revealed in previously undisclosed FBI files, Manton fraternized with racketeers and accepted large loans and gifts from such unsavory sources. Time, 25 July 2023 Starting in the 1950s the area was overrun with them: Freudians mingling with devotees of the more radical R.D. Laing; Bruno Bettelheimites fraternizing with Jung enthusiasts. Mattie Kahn, Town & Country, 13 June 2023 But none of you is there to fraternize. Charlotte Druckman, Town & Country, 27 Mar. 2023 In his unit, the officers aren’t saddled by rules against fraternizing with prisoners. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fraternize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fraternize was in 1611

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Dictionary Entries Near fraternize

Cite this Entry

“Fraternize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fraternize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fraternize

verb
frat·​er·​nize ˈfrat-ər-ˌnīz How to pronounce fraternize (audio)
fraternized; fraternizing
: to associate as friends
fraternization noun
fraternizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fraternize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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