relate to
phrasal verb
related to; relating to; relates to
1
: to connect (something) with (something else)
Few of the people who became sick related their symptoms to the food they'd eaten the day before.
2
: to understand and like or have sympathy for (someone or something)
I can relate to your feelings.
I've never been able to relate to him very well.
He writes songs that people can really relate to.
3
—used to describe how someone talks to or behaves toward (someone else)
How a child relates to her teacher can affect her education.
4
: to be connected with (someone or something) : to be about (someone or something)
The readings relate to the class discussions.
—often used as (be) related toThe exam questions are directly related to the readings.
Examples of relate to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There, Hasina faced charges primarily related to inciting the murder of protesters, ordering demonstrators be hanged, and ordering the use of lethal weapons, drones and helicopters to suppress the unrest.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025
Greene’s resignation followed a public fallout with Trump in recent months, as the congresswoman criticized him for his stance on files related to Jeffrey Epstein, along with foreign policy and health care.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025
The order must relate to military duty, which includes all activities reasonably necessary to accomplish a military mission, or safeguard or promote the morale, discipline, and usefulness of members of a command and directly connected with the maintenance of good order in the service.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025
Nathan was rescued eight days later; six years later in May 2022, he was charged with Linda's murder and fraud counts relating to the death of his grandfather, wealthy real estate developer John Chakalos, who had died in December 2013, per NBC News.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relate to
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Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025
Greene’s resignation followed a public fallout with Trump in recent months, as the congresswoman criticized him for his stance on files related to Jeffrey Epstein, along with foreign policy and health care.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025
The order must relate to military duty, which includes all activities reasonably necessary to accomplish a military mission, or safeguard or promote the morale, discipline, and usefulness of members of a command and directly connected with the maintenance of good order in the service.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025
Nathan was rescued eight days later; six years later in May 2022, he was charged with Linda's murder and fraud counts relating to the death of his grandfather, wealthy real estate developer John Chakalos, who had died in December 2013, per NBC News.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relate to
Cite this Entry
“Relate to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relate%20to. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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