Synonyms of participate

participate

verb

pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt 

as in to share

to take a share or part

eager to participate in the city's cultural life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• share
• know
• partake
• experience
• receive
• undergo
• feel
• see
• endure
• accept
• meet
• taste
• encounter

Synonym Chooser

How is the word participate distinct from other similar verbs?

The words partake and share are common synonyms of participate. While all three words mean "to have, get, or use in common with another or others," participate implies a having or taking part in an undertaking, activity, or discussion.

participated in sports

When can partake be used instead of participate?

The words partake and participate can be used in similar contexts, but partake implies accepting or acquiring a share especially of food or drink.

partook freely of the refreshments

Where would share be a reasonable alternative to participate?

While in some cases nearly identical to participate, share usually implies that one as the original holder grants to another the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of a thing.

shared my toys with the others

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of participate

Young people develop civic competence by experimenting with political action as well as by participating in respectful classroom discussions. —Christopher L. Eisgruber, Time, 9 Oct. 2025

Businesses participating in the city's procurement process with Detroit employees also would receive points toward their bid scores, boosting their advantage in the bid award process under a Kinloch administration. —Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025

The territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands also do not participate. —Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025

Around 98 percent of those participated in the vote. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025