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
Relevance
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
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 relations
The body of commentary that has developed since, particularly in the field of postcolonial studies, has traced the ways in which uninvited borrowings follow the vectors of asymmetrical power relations.
—
Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Lai's visit to Eswatini, the only African nation that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, was called off after the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles were pressured by China to withdraw permission for Lai's plane to fly over their territory, Taiwan said.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
The 77-year-old monarch faced a number of possible pitfalls from a bombastic US president known for creating controversy and generating headlines at the lowest moment for US-UK relations in modern history.
—Max Foster, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Its leaders have been working to rebuild relations with Arab and Western countries that had shunned Syria under former President Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 by rebels, who then installed a new government.
—Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Stanford has begun winding down the program and is no longer accepting new participants, Luisa Rapport, Stanford University’s director of media relations, said Wednesday after the announcement of the investigation.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
The opening to foreign investment comes amid an unusual thaw in relations between Washington and Caracas following Maduro’s capture and the reorganization of Venezuela’s leadership under Rodríguez.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Indeed, since the nuclear agreement’s collapse, Iran has pursued much closer ties with China and Russia at the expense of prior robust economic relations with Europe.
—Charmaine N. Willis, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
But, of course, thousands of American companies had trade and relations with China.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Lai's visit to Eswatini, the only African nation that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, was called off after the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles were pressured by China to withdraw permission for Lai's plane to fly over their territory, Taiwan said.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
The 77-year-old monarch faced a number of possible pitfalls from a bombastic US president known for creating controversy and generating headlines at the lowest moment for US-UK relations in modern history.
—Max Foster, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Its leaders have been working to rebuild relations with Arab and Western countries that had shunned Syria under former President Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 by rebels, who then installed a new government.
—Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Stanford has begun winding down the program and is no longer accepting new participants, Luisa Rapport, Stanford University’s director of media relations, said Wednesday after the announcement of the investigation.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
The opening to foreign investment comes amid an unusual thaw in relations between Washington and Caracas following Maduro’s capture and the reorganization of Venezuela’s leadership under Rodríguez.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Indeed, since the nuclear agreement’s collapse, Iran has pursued much closer ties with China and Russia at the expense of prior robust economic relations with Europe.
—Charmaine N. Willis, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
But, of course, thousands of American companies had trade and relations with China.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relations
Noun
-
The investigation involved interviews with the fan, Ford Field security staff and fans seated near where the interaction happened.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
Without governance, Agentic AI risks writing unverified, hostile code and sensitive interactions with external vendors without oversight.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 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
-
Common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include irritation, swelling and a thick white discharge, along with a burning sensation – especially during urination or intercourse.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Wilzig told the Miami Herald in a 2002 profile that intercourse and naked bodies were beautiful and natural, and no one should be embarrassed by talking about the topic.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mating season generally begins in May, with peak mating in June.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Hazina’s father, Utenzi, came to Lincoln Park as part of the Eastern Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, a program where scientists determine ideal mating partners for endangered rhinos based on various genetic and hormonal factors, Kutilek said.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relations. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
