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
The vast majority of these cases – at least 845 – are associated with an outbreak centered in West Texas that has expanded to New Mexico, Oklahoma and possibly Kansas. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 Studies now show that as few as 7,000-8,000 steps a day for adults is associated with a significant reduction in overall mortality rates. Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 9 May 2025
Noun
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has drawn sharp criticism from former WWE Superstar Shelton Benjamin and his associate, MVP, after Hogan repeatedly misidentified Benjamin in recent media appearances and implied a non-existent camaraderie. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025 Imagine committing elaborate crimes to garner viral influencer attention or making connections with shady associates via the dark web. Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 6 May 2025
Adjective
Raskin started out as an associate producer on NBC’s Laugh-In in 1967 and graduated to co-producer for the next three seasons through March 1971. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025 Tester feedback from associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen Type of sunscreen, key ingredients, and sizes Best Overall Mineral: Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 Supergoop! Sarah Han, Allure, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for associate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate
Verb
  • To be in the same location, at least one pair would have to travel and pay for a place to stay, because neither of their apartments could fit everyone.
    Rhaina Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2025
  • In the comments section, many readers pointed out the obvious — the two women clearly have different styles of traveling.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Investigators were then able to identify two other similar cases that occurred overnight May 7 in Sanford, according to the report.
    Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
  • The victim was later identified as Terry Lee Gambrel, a 25-year-old Marine corporal, who had hitched a ride with Kraft to meet friends at a party, the sheriff's department said in a separate release.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • No duo combined for more goals than Poulin and Stacey during the regular season.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Cute, kitschy items are a staple of East Asian culture, and Asian discount stores like Miniso and Daiso, which combined have hundreds of locations in the US, sell highly coveted blind box toys for under $5.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • On the day of the killing, police said that Hawkins was cooperating with detectives’ investigation.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025
  • Spartan College Campus President Chris Becker said the school is cooperating with the investigation.
    Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • His most recent fixation, food plots, keeps him from going solo into the turkey woods when there’s seed to spread or fertilizer to mix.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 8 May 2025
  • These elements mix humor and gravity into a rich, dynamic scene on a wooden panel that’s roughly four feet tall.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • But Xu and her colleagues would need far more evidence than just two people in a trial that enrolled a total of eight, so that research remains ongoing.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • For these more serious cases, Soni and his colleagues work closely with the university’s mental-health center and even walk students to a counselor’s door themselves.
    Cornelia Powers, The Atlantic, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • So, the welfare group amputated her legs and rehabilitated her before sending her halfway across the world in March 2023 to a partner animal welfare organization called Twenty Paws in New York City.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • But Monday’s event aims to underscore the commitment of the two partners to working together during an increasingly fraught geopolitical era.
    Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The plans include a new 10,000-square-foot auxiliary hangar, two additional maintenance hangars, and a 2,500-square-foot classroom building with a breakroom and vending area.
    Katie Sartoris, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
  • Palmo linked to a Catholic Standard editorial written by Bishop Evelio Menjivar, an auxiliary bishop of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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