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
The group's annual Halloween consumer survey for 2025 indicates 79% of consumers expect higher prices directly related to tariffs.
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Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods revealed that between January 2021 and June 2023, authorities responded to at least six calls related to the feud between Owens and Lorincz, the Associated Press reported.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Should parents have the ability to prohibit their child from viewing content related to sexuality or gender identity at school?
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025
The pelvic floor also relates to the lower back, the abdominal wall and the diaphragm which links to breathing.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relate to
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Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods revealed that between January 2021 and June 2023, authorities responded to at least six calls related to the feud between Owens and Lorincz, the Associated Press reported.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Should parents have the ability to prohibit their child from viewing content related to sexuality or gender identity at school?
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025
The pelvic floor also relates to the lower back, the abdominal wall and the diaphragm which links to breathing.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2025.
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