1
as in interaction
relations plural
doings between individuals or groups
relations between the rival newspapers remained friendly despite their competition for the same stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in relationship
the fact or state of having something in common
there's no relation between you losing your favorite baseball hat and your team losing the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in partnership
the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters)
our intramural baseball team had a relation with the other baseball teams in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sex
relations plural
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
a law that prohibits relations between close relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of relation
Kathlyn McHenry, the director of state government relations for the Early Care and Education Consortium, worries that additional requirements will make life harder for providers with no real benefit.
—
Jess Huff, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Over the past few years, Gulf Arab states had moved to significantly improve relations with Iran, but experts say the ferocity of Tehran’s attacks against them has given new life to the notion that the Islamic Republic remains their most formidable threat.
—Becky Anderson, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
The complaint was to be filed with the state’s Public Employment Relations Board, which oversees relations between public employers and their employees.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Tantric yoga is obviously meant to be the precursor to intimate relations.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relation
Jess Huff, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Over the past few years, Gulf Arab states had moved to significantly improve relations with Iran, but experts say the ferocity of Tehran’s attacks against them has given new life to the notion that the Islamic Republic remains their most formidable threat.
—Becky Anderson, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
The complaint was to be filed with the state’s Public Employment Relations Board, which oversees relations between public employers and their employees.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Tantric yoga is obviously meant to be the precursor to intimate relations.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relation
Noun
-
The Young Thug interaction was roughly six seconds long, when Huston saw the rapper at Lenox Mall in Atlanta and called him Future.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Officers will sometimes use a felony that occurs during a traffic stop or enforcement interaction as cause to initiate a chase and utilize a PIT maneuver, but if the underlying reason for the interaction wasn’t a violent felony, the move likely shouldn’t be used, Taylor said.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Survivors, relatives and Cal-OSHA raised concerns about the conditions under which workers were employed, including allegations that some were paid in cash and received little to no safety training.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Endosperm is only found in flowering plants, although a few close relatives like the nonflowering shrubby joint fir, Ephedra, have its rudiments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The close relationship between Lewandowski and Noem drew scrutiny.—
Nate Raymond,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
As of Saturday, police said the motive and the suspect's relationship to the victim were unknown.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If the partnership reaches certain benchmarks, Uber will purchase 40,000 more Rivian vehicles in 2030.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Megan Thee Stallion ‘Was Gonna Eat This Anyway’ Megan Thee Stallion, who was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before the partnership ever came together, is a genuine fan of the product (and flavor).—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The findings, from 1,592 U.S. citizens of different ages, sexes, races and incomes, were collected between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
-
On his first day in office, Mr. Trump signed an executive order that declared the federal government would recognize only two immutable sexes: male and female.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike Superman, Kara was not raised by a loving human family or taught how to be a hero but is later forced to follow in her younger cousin's footsteps and become a hero.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Two restaurateur cousins with family roots in Greece have opened a fast-casual, takeout-type restaurant featuring their family’s recipes and other authentic Greek fare.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
She’s especially revered in Shiite Islam because of her kinship with the imams.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
-
How did Henley, a rock star living in a big house on Mulholland Drive, find such a kinship with Thoreau, who famously chose a simple, deliberate life amid nature?—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The association backs a bill moving through both chambers at the State Capitol that would enhance the existing law.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Some Democrats argue that the cost of ignoring young male voters is higher than the risk of association with Piker.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relation. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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