1
as in interaction
doings between individuals or groups
relations between the rival newspapers remained friendly despite their competition for the same stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
a law that prohibits relations between close relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relations
In Khamenei’s worldview, normalizing relations with the United States has always been kryptonite, an existential threat to a regime whose identity was premised on resisting America.
—
Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Aubuchon declined an interview with The Enquirer via media relations firm Strategic Advisers.
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2026
Above all, as the world goes to pot, many of FICG Goes to Berlin titles explore bedrock relations, of father and son or mother and son, for instance.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Diplomatic relations between the two countries collapsed in 2019.
—Michelle L. Price The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Lehman joins the company after the departure of DeDe Lea, the longtime head of global public policy and government relations.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Israel were already severely strained after South Africa — a longtime supporter of the Palestinian people — accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in a case at the United Nations’ top court.
—Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
But transatlantic relations remain at a low point.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Tokyo — Japanese fans rushed to farewell the country’s last two pandas on Sunday ahead of their return to China, in a departure that highlights strained relations between the two countries.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Aubuchon declined an interview with The Enquirer via media relations firm Strategic Advisers.
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2026
Above all, as the world goes to pot, many of FICG Goes to Berlin titles explore bedrock relations, of father and son or mother and son, for instance.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Diplomatic relations between the two countries collapsed in 2019.
—Michelle L. Price The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Lehman joins the company after the departure of DeDe Lea, the longtime head of global public policy and government relations.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Israel were already severely strained after South Africa — a longtime supporter of the Palestinian people — accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in a case at the United Nations’ top court.
—Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
But transatlantic relations remain at a low point.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Tokyo — Japanese fans rushed to farewell the country’s last two pandas on Sunday ahead of their return to China, in a departure that highlights strained relations between the two countries.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relations
Noun
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But Liam’s favorite reel was his interaction in a crowded meet-and-greet line with another F1 racer, Kimi Antonelli.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Because of this, several studies have suggested that dancing offers a host of benefits that stretch far beyond movement or fitness, including improvements to overall brain function, spatial recognition, mood, visual processing, communication and social interaction.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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On top of that, one of Colvin’s classmates, Jeremiah Reeves, had recently been arrested for having intercourse with a white woman.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Jan. 2026
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British prosecutors said Johnston used threats and intimidation to force the woman into having intercourse with the men, per the outlet.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Marshalls rescued her from Lake Copeland so she wouldn’t be harmed by her parents, a mating pair of swans who still live there.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
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Among these dolphins, males with close social bonds spend much of their time together, often traveling, foraging, mating and resting in the same groups.—
Hasmik Kirakosyan,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relations. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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