join 1 of 2

Definition of joinnext
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as in to enter
to become a member of we're always looking for new people to join our book club

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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join

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb join differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of join are associate, combine, connect, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

When would associate be a good substitute for join?

While the synonyms associate and join are close in meaning, associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

When is combine a more appropriate choice than join?

The words combine and join can be used in similar contexts, but combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When could connect be used to replace join?

The meanings of connect and join largely overlap; however, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

Where would link be a reasonable alternative to join?

The synonyms link and join are sometimes interchangeable, but link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

When is it sensible to use relate instead of join?

The words relate and join are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When can unite be used instead of join?

In some situations, the words unite and join are roughly equivalent. However, unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

How does the verb join differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of join are associate, combine, connect, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

When would associate be a good substitute for join?

While the synonyms associate and join are close in meaning, associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

When is combine a more appropriate choice than join?

The words combine and join can be used in similar contexts, but combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When could connect be used to replace join?

The meanings of connect and join largely overlap; however, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

Where would link be a reasonable alternative to join?

The synonyms link and join are sometimes interchangeable, but link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

When is it sensible to use relate instead of join?

The words relate and join are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When can unite be used instead of join?

In some situations, the words unite and join are roughly equivalent. However, unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of join
Verb
The Boston Celtics have re-emerged as a roadblock in the East, and the Indiana Pacers are positioned to join them again next season. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026 Paramount+, the streamer behind Tulsa King, recently announced Asa Germann (Gen V), Kai Caster (Yellowstone), Lilah Pate (Outer Banks) and Savanna Gann (English Teacher) have joined the cast. Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026 Attorneys general from 30 states and the District of Columbia initially joined the lawsuit, with nine additional attorneys general later participating. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2026 Omar Metwally, Amirah Vann, Jon Ecker, Anya Banerjee, Patrick Walker and Charlotte Fountain-Jardim also star, joined in Season 2 by Felicity Huffman. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for join
Recent Examples of Synonyms for join
Verb
  • Nick Halic leaned forward, his hand touching the head of senior Charles Eleri while offering a pep talk.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The desparation shot was wide left, never touching the rim or backboard.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • During the booking process, inmate fingerprints are automatically entered into a database accessible by all local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Progress in robotics Agility’s humanoid robot, Digit, has already entered the market, demonstrating its readiness to tackle the labor shortage in factories and warehouses.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Maintaining low loss becomes critical when combining many lasers.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
  • North Korea’s often-wild rhetoric, combined with nuclear weapons development, adds further international frictions.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • However, the defense’s closing arguments called into question the reliability of the prosecution’s cooperating witness, Nathan Josiah Baumann, who was found close to the scene of the shooting and ultimately pleaded guilty last year.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Diaz-Canel said that Havana has been cooperating with Washington in the wake of the incident, that the injured received medical care, and that the relatives of the deceased have been notified.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The jury appears to have been persuaded by prosecutors’ argument that the defendants were members of an antifa cell connected to an ideology that calls for the overthrow of the government.
    Emerson Clarridge Updated March 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Sabalenka connected on 38 of 58 first serves against the 14th-seeded Noskova and notched 11 aces to reach the finale for the third time in four years.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Like many others on our list, this junction sits near a freeway.
    Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The idea for the developer, Integral Communities of Newport Beach, to build the bridge was approved in 2019 as part of the second phase of the 577-acre development, which sits at the northwest corner of the Interstate 5-Highway 99 junction.
    Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The company next captured images on March 4 showing impact sites on the school and adjoining former IRGC base, with a total of seven buildings damaged or destroyed.
    Julie Tsirkin, NBC news, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The two beds can also be adjoined into a single double bed with an optional kit.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Meghan—who rejoined Instagram on January 1, 2025—has long been careful to not show Lilibet and her older brother Prince Archie’s faces on her social media, and their voices are rarely heard, as well.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
  • It was announced on May 13 that Alex Morgan would rejoin the team as a minority owner.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Join.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/join. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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