associate 1 of 3

1
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
as in to mix
to take part in social activities you should try to associate with people your own age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

associate

2 of 3

noun

associate

3 of 3

adjective

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

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 associate
Verb
Solly | | Read More Meilan Solly is Smithsonian magazine's senior associate digital editor, history. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025 Her recent retirement freed her up during the day, and a longtime connection with TheatreWorks associate director of casting Jeffrey Lo ultimately led to a role in the musical adaptation, created by the trio of Ashley Robinson (book), Dan Gillespie Sells (music) and Shakina (lyrics). David John Chávez, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
Noun
Side-stepping the kind of vast content-library construction now associated with services like Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max, Apple TV+ has accumulated just a few hundred titles over its six years in existence, curated around its relatively tiny collection of original films and TV shows. Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 June 2025 But the pair hit a road bump after Bieber was reportedly offered a hefty paycheck to perform at a gig associated with the Republican National Convention. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
Adjective
Viola Flowers Viola Flowers is a news associate for NBC News. Viola Flowers, NBC news, 23 June 2025 Campos, from Franklin Park, recently earned an associate’s degree from Triton, and hopes to become an electrical engineer. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for associate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate
Verb
  • Later, it’s revealed that the Front Man took the cash, deposited it into a bank account, and traveled to Los Angeles to give the money to Gi-hun’s daughter, Ga-yeong.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Trump was supposed to travel to his golf club in Bedminster, N.J.
    Tamara Keith, NPR, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Its global study on smartphone addiction identified the 10 most effective strategies to reduce smartphone use.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • About two years after the assault, Agnes must identify her gender on a government form.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Spanning three levels and over 17,000-square-feet, The Louis combines retail, exhibition and hospitality spaces.
    Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The 32-year-old was one of the best tight ends in the NFL with 2,341 receiving yards on 197 receptions with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019 and 2020 combined.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Grossi said Iran is legally obligated to cooperate with the IAEA under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
    Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 26 June 2025
  • The trouble is, some of the streamers don’t want to cooperate, and no single platform has universally emerged to unify everyone.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Add lemon zest, lemon segments, and milk, and mix until fully incorporated.
    Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
  • In finance, a risk score mixing public trends and private accounts, shown to a junior analyst without full rights, could breach GDPR, costing millions.
    Suman Sharma, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • In the days since the concert, a number of friends, family, and colleagues have asked me about it—mostly inquiring about the set list and the car prop malfunction.
    Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 4 July 2025
  • Together with his colleague Richard Wetherald at the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) in Princeton, N.J., Manabe used a simple climate model to show that increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 would lead to more efficient trapping of heat in the troposphere.
    Ben Santer, Scientific American, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • Dinos aren’t really a date night movie with 7% on a date, and those with a spouse/partner at 21%.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 5 July 2025
  • Now in its tenth year, the Security Summit partners continue to work together to raise awareness about data theft in the tax professional community.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • But in recent months, Fernandez has demonstrated his value to Chelsea’s attack, creating chances more efficiently in the final third and offering an auxiliary goal threat.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The pause on salary adjustments and the hiring freeze will not affect faculty and students whose jobs are funded externally through grants, contracts and auxiliary services.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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