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
However, family offices must evaluate the opportunities and risks associated with private equity investments, considering the potential for long-term growth and the impact of market volatility. Paul Westall, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 These days, there seems to be a sense of shame associated with opting to rent; renting versus buying is often compared to lacking motivation versus being responsible, immaturity versus adulthood. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
One of the attorneys representing Harvard is William Burck, who represented multiple Trump associates during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2025 Anderson, associate manager, social media Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize! Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Photograph by Christopher Kim / The New Yorker Marella Gayla, an associate editor at the magazine, was named a winner of an ASME NEXT Award, a distinction reserved for journalists under the age of thirty. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025 Courtesy of brand Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick in Petal $48 Nordstrom Catharine Malzahn is the contributing associate beauty editor at Glamour. Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for associate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate
Verb
  • Any adult who plans to travel around the country this summer, or any time after the enforcement deadline, must have a REAL ID or another federally compliant identification document in order to avoid delays.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • On Thursday, May 1, Bodø/Glimt travels to London to play Tottenham Hotspur in a stadium that could fit the entire 55,000 population of Bodø with space for several thousand more.
    Robert Kidd, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Exposure is believed to be limited, and known contacts have been identified and contacted.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Sixty-two percent of white American adults identify as Christian, and 61% of American Christians identify as white.
    Michael Pasek, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The third film is expected to continue in that spirit of combining Springer's characters with fresh, original mysteries.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • When that combined with normal pollution levels, street vendors, other outdoor workers and a 7-year-old boy all came in wheezing and coughing.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The nightclub owner also vowed to cooperate with an investigation spearheaded by a Dominican Republic committee, which reportedly includes local and international experts and investigators.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Products from Cambodia would face duties of more than 3,500% because its producers elected not to cooperate with the U.S. probe.
    Nichola Groom, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, if the soil pH or phosphorus levels are low, ground limestone and bonemeal can be mixed into the backfill.
    Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Never mix with other cleaners or chemical products.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This week, my fellow Wellness colleague and experienced runner, David Oliver, wrote an inspiring piece about a 77-year-old who ran the Boston marathon this week.
    Sam Woodward, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The Factors That Can Impact Your Brain Health After examining 59 different meta-analyses, Singh and her colleagues found 17 risk factors for dementia, late-life depression, and stroke that overlapped with one another.
    Cathy Cassata, Health, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Chris recruits Brax to help as well as a room of brilliant computer wizards led by Justine, Chris' partner with nonverbal autism who communicates via a British computer voice.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Paramount is an equal co-fi partners with Sega on the $122M production cost, but the Melrose lot also gets a distribution fee off the top.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With less than 10 minutes remaining, Barca had finally thrown caution to the wind, with defender Pique operating as an auxiliary centre-forward.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Pope Francis appointed Thomas Than Thai Nguyễn as auxiliary bishop of Orange.
    Heather McRea, Oc Register, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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