Synonyms of associate

associate 1 of 3

verb

ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt 

1

as in to travel

to come or be together as friends

a socially ambitious couple who joined the country club in order to associate with the right sort of people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• travel
• connect
• run
• join
• relate
• collaborate
• bond
• mix
• company
• mingle
• befriend
• sort
• fraternize
• consort
• cooperate
• hook up
• friend
• take up with
• rub shoulders (with)
• hang (around or out)
• fall in with
• affiliate
• pal (around)
• keep company (with)
• chum
• group
• rub elbows (with)
• consociate
• tie
• attach
• club
• hobnob
• team
• mess around
• be friends with
• socialize
• ally
• couple
• interrelate
• get along
• link
• rally
• confederate
• get on
• conjoin
• collude
• gang
• band
• knot
• side
• league
• wed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• shun
• alienate
• snub
• split (up)
• disperse
• cold-shoulder
• break up
• dissociate
• split
• disband
• sever
• estrange
• divorce
• disjoin
• disunite
• sunder

2

as in to identify

to think of (something) in combination

she still associates Memorial Day with her long-ago fiancé, who died in Vietnam

Synonyms & Similar Words

• identify
• correlate
• connect
• equate
• compare
• relate
• link
• group
• tie (together)
• liken
• join
• lump (together)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distinguish
• differentiate
• separate
• set off
• discriminate
• contrast

3

as in to combine

to come together to form a single unit

the elements hydrogen and oxygen associate to form molecules of water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• combine
• connect
• join
• fuse
• unite
• unify
• couple
• coalesce
• link (up)
• marry
• conjugate
• conjoin
• interfuse
• mate
• confederate
• ally
• league
• yoke
• compound
• splice
• chain
• congregate
• cluster
• rejoin
• assemble
• reconnect
• reunite
• meet
• convene
• gather
• hook
• constellate
• recombine
• hitch
• reunify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• section
• split
• separate
• sever
• part
• break up
• dissociate
• isolate
• resolve
• divide
• detach
• disconnect
• divorce
• unlink
• uncouple
• dissever
• sunder
• fractionate
• disperse
• scatter
• disband
• disjoin
• disaffiliate
• disunite
• disjoint
• unyoke

4

as in to cooperate

to form or enter into an association that furthers the interests of its members

nations deciding to associate in order to remove trade barriers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cooperate
• unite
• collaborate
• merge
• confederate
• club
• federate
• organize
• ally
• coalesce
• pull together
• join
• league
• close ranks
• consolidate
• band (together)
• cohere
• affiliate
• conjoin
• combine
• converge
• incorporate
• group
• hang together
• amalgamate
• link
• team (up)
• unionize
• tie
• conglomerate
• gang up
• cabal
• knot
• wed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break up
• separate
• split
• disband
• dissolve
• segregate
• sever
• detach
• part
• disengage
• divorce
• fall out
• alienate
• disunite
• sunder
• estrange

5

as in to mix

to take part in social activities

you should try to associate with people your own age

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mix
• mingle
• socialize
• party
• go out
• fraternize
• step out
• rub elbows
• revel
• hobnob
• carouse
• circulate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• shun
• eschew
• slight
• snub

associate

2 of 3

noun

ə-ˈsō-shē-ət 

1

as in colleague

a person frequently seen in the company of another

a number of his associates were members of organized crime, so he was a person of interest to the FBI

Synonyms & Similar Words

• colleague
• friend
• buddy
• accomplice
• peer
• fellow
• cohort
• partner
• companion
• classmate
• comrade
• running mate
• compatriot
• crony
• compeer
• teammate
• affiliate
• collaborator
• mate
• hobnobber
• familiar
• ally
• coworker
• pal
• confidant
• intimate
• equal
• chum
• half
• roommate
• hearty
• workmate
• escort
• shipmate
• playmate
• schoolmate
• housemate
• attendant
• countryman
• playfellow
• confederate
• parasite
• leech
• messmate
• hanger-on

2

as in partner

a fellow worker

my associates at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• colleague
• partner
• coworker
• peer
• buddy
• confrere
• collaborator
• fellow
• copartner
• accomplice
• ally
• pal
• half
• cohort
• chum
• equal
• comrade
• companion
• crony
• confederate
• compatriot
• countryman

associate

3 of 3

adjective

as in auxiliary

Related Words

• auxiliary
• subsidiary
• secondary
• second-class
• subordinate
• jerkwater
• two-bit
• less
• petty
• junior
• lower
• second-rate
• one-horse
• lesser
• small
• little
• smaller
• minor
• minute
• mean
• inferior

Dissimilar Words

• more
• higher
• senior
• greater
• major
• primary
• prime
• superior
• superordinate
• exceptional
• first-class
• choice
• first-rate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb associate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of associate are combine, connect, join, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," 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 would combine be a good substitute for associate?

The words combine and associate 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 is connect a more appropriate choice than associate?

While the synonyms connect and associate are close in meaning, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

Where would join be a reasonable alternative to associate?

In some situations, the words join and associate are roughly equivalent. However, join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

When might link be a better fit than associate?

Although the words link and associate have much in common, link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

When can relate be used instead of associate?

The meanings of relate and associate largely overlap; however, relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

In what contexts can unite take the place of associate?

While in some cases nearly identical to associate, unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of associate

Verb

The two-time Best Rap Album winner also has three rap nominations, all associated with Chromakopia. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025

Unknown to investigators, the Baretzes were the parents of Dorita Barrett, the Realtor associated with a Florida company called Top Dog Holdings Inc. —Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Noun

The message has empowered Marriott associates to continue to engage. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025

Current Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who was drafted by Boston in 2015 and played four seasons with the Celtics, is accused of providing inside information to NBA gamblers and manipulating his own performance to help associates cash bets. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

Adjective

His associate director, Hannah (Megan Haley), is the daughter of very successful dental-floss magnates but refuses to ask them to contribute. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025

That would’ve been Bochy, with Albert Pujols as the associate manager/hitting coach. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025