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
According to the research team leader, Lin Xianfeng, an associate chief orthopedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated with the renowned Zhejiang University, the adhesive can achieve precise fixation within two to three minutes, even in a blood-rich environment. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025 While the Crocker has staff like Shields and associate curator Francesca Wilmott who assist with purchases, Rashid didn’t interact with them. Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
These storms in the Midwest are not associated with the monsoonal moisture and will fire up from an unrelated front in the area. Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025 While the trend is most associated with Europe, market hacking can also be worthwhile farther afield. Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
But the letters don’t obviate the need for committee meetings, said Peter Lurie, a former associate FDA commissioner who heads the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025 Even Vogue’s audience development associate manager Molly Barstein is a fan. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for associate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate
Verb
  • Reporter Duaa Eldeib interviewed Sutton-Schulman and L multiple times and traveled to North Carolina for additional reporting.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Who isn't searching for Japan travel?
    Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The suspect in the shooting, identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested on Friday night after his father recognized him from surveillance images and video released by investigators, authorities said.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Some of the information inadvertently made public in this way included names and email addresses, meaning the participants of the chat could be identified.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The scent is smoky yet sweet, spicy yet smooth, dark but with an underlying lightness—the result of combining clean white musk with rose, tobacco, suede, and cumin.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The country now surpasses the cocaine production of South American countries Peru and Bolivia combined.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His comments come as South Korea reels from the raids – one of the largest by US immigration enforcement agencies in recent years, and which threatens to create a rift between two close partners that have long cooperated on military and economic matters.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The report was shared with authorities, and the district cooperated with the investigation, Bohrer said.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In Otsuki’s collection, elements of the Japanese salaryman mixed with the urbanity of Gere’s Julian Kay create a compelling blend of references that ultimately play to each designer’s strength.
    Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For bourbon lovers, mix up a Gold Rush (all those recipes are below).
    Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Beat overcommitment syndrome, get the right things done, and build real influence with your colleagues up, down, sideways, and diagonal—all over the organization chart.
    Bruce Tulgan, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • In its history, Everybody Loves Raymond, created by Romano and Philip Rosenthal, received 15 Emmys and 69 total nominations, including for Romano, Garrett, and their colleagues Patricia Heaton, and Peter Boyle.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This report contains results from surveys and population estimation methods conducted by Fish and Wildlife, Canadian Wildlife Service and numerous state and provincial partners.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • My office and our partners will continue to hold fully accountable anyone seeking to compromise the national security of the United States.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Guys like Dyami Brown and Parker Washington are very solid auxiliary receivers.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The first stoppage occurred two minutes into the game, resulting in a 25-minute stoppage as the arena crew wheeled out auxiliary clocks onto the baseline and turned off the main clocks above the baskets.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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