Synonyms of associates

associates 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of associate

1

as in travels

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

• travels
• bonds
• collaborates
• companies
• connects
• joins
• runs
• friends
• mixes
• relates
• sorts
• chums
• consorts
• mingles
• allies
• befriends
• affiliates
• cooperates
• fraternizes
• hooks up
• groups
• rubs shoulders (with)
• hangs (around or out)
• takes up with
• falls in with
• teams
• pals (around)
• keeps company (with)
• ties
• rubs elbows (with)
• clubs
• consociates
• couples
• gangs
• hobnobs
• links
• sides
• messes around
• rallies
• socializes
• is friends with
• interrelates
• colludes
• bands
• confederates
• gets on
• gets along
• attaches
• conjoins
• leagues
• knots
• weds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoids
• shuns
• alienates
• snubs
• estranges
• cold-shoulders
• splits (up)
• breaks up
• disperses
• splits
• dissociates
• disbands
• severs
• divorces
• disjoins
• sunders
• disunites

2

as in identifies

to think of (something) in combination

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• identifies
• correlates
• connects
• links
• equates
• relates
• compares
• groups
• ties (together)
• joins
• likens
• lumps (together)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contrasts
• distinguishes
• separates
• differentiates
• sets off
• discriminates

3

as in combines

to come together to form a single unit

the elements hydrogen and oxygen associate to form molecules of water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• combines
• connects
• fuses
• couples
• joins
• unites
• allies
• unifies
• mates
• links (up)
• conjugates
• coalesces
• conjoins
• marries
• interfuses
• chains
• confederates
• compounds
• yokes
• clusters
• leagues
• splices
• rejoins
• assembles
• reunites
• reconnects
• convenes
• constellates
• hooks
• hitches
• meets
• recombines
• congregates
• gathers
• reunifies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• parts
• sections
• splits
• separates
• severs
• breaks up
• isolates
• sunders
• resolves
• disconnects
• divides
• dissociates
• dissevers
• divorces
• unlinks
• detaches
• uncouples
• disjoins
• fractionates
• disunites
• disperses
• unyokes
• disjoints
• scatters
• disbands
• disaffiliates

4

as in cooperates

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

• cooperates
• allies
• unites
• collaborates
• federates
• clubs
• confederates
• merges
• affiliates
• pulls together
• organizes
• groups
• coalesces
• leagues
• bands (together)
• coheres
• closes ranks
• joins
• conjoins
• consolidates
• hangs together
• converges
• teams (up)
• links
• incorporates
• amalgamates
• unionizes
• ties
• gangs up
• combines
• cabals
• conglomerates
• knots
• weds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• parts
• breaks up
• disbands
• splits
• dissolves
• separates
• segregates
• severs
• divorces
• disengages
• detaches
• falls out
• alienates
• estranges
• sunders
• disunites

5

as in mixes

to take part in social activities

you should try to associate with people your own age

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mixes
• mingles
• socializes
• parties
• goes out
• rubs elbows
• fraternizes
• steps out
• revels
• hobnobs
• carouses
• circulates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoids
• shuns
• eschews
• snubs
• slights

associates

2 of 2

noun

plural of associate

1

as in colleagues

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

• colleagues
• friends
• peers
• buddies
• accomplices
• cohorts
• companions
• comrades
• fellows
• classmates
• partners
• compatriots
• compeers
• cronies
• teammates
• mates
• collaborators
• allies
• coworkers
• running mates
• affiliates
• hobnobbers
• pals
• workmates
• confidants
• intimates
• chums
• equals
• confederates
• countrymen
• familiars
• playmates
• shipmates
• halves
• schoolmates
• roommates
• attendants
• housemates
• messmates
• parasites
• escorts
• leeches
• playfellows
• hangers-on
• hearties

2

as in coworkers

a fellow worker

my associates at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• colleagues
• coworkers
• peers
• partners
• buddies
• confreres
• allies
• collaborators
• accomplices
• fellows
• equals
• cohorts
• pals
• comrades
• companions
• copartners
• confederates
• halves
• countrymen
• compatriots
• chums
• cronies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of associates

Verb

The Shiji associates Sun Tzu with Wu’s campaigns against its powerful rival Chu, including the campaign that culminated in the capture of the Chu capital, Ying, in 506 bce. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

What being Southern meant to his father—and the values Duane associates with being a Southern gentleman. — Sid Evans, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026

The productivity boom everyone associates with the personal computer didn’t actually show up in the macro data until 15 years after the PC was commercialized. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 July 2026

The two-time Oscar winner, who was born in Concord and grew up in the East Bay, associates that sign with some of his favorite Bay Area childhood memories. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

The third vessel, for example, contains circular discs symbolizing water, which Chan associates with rebirth. — Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026

In practical terms, that means Forest now associates humans with food and safety, the opposite of what a wild deer needs to survive. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026

Greene’s heart-to-heart media tour has been jarring liberals and anyone else who associates her with conspiratorial beliefs and outrageous comments. — Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025

Everyone associates that with us. — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 8 Oct. 2025

Noun

Whereas Putin takes extravagant risks on the international stage but is loath to hold his associates accountable for incompetence, Xi is just the opposite. — Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Banks was charged alongside two other OTF associates for the murder. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2026

At the moment, the team is made up of Lina Fatanat and Chris Maghsodi, brand associates who, helmed by Lê, serve as de facto head-to-toe Kiko ambassadors. — Michael Anthony Hall, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The indictment says Lam continued communicating with associates after he was jailed in Miami. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

The film also highlights the work of Mayes' associates and other local activists who are working to create a safer, more connected city. — Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026

For instance, the retailer last year piloted an ambassador program among store associates, recruiting 10 employees who were responsible for posting multiple pieces of monthly content. — Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

The interview group included Woody Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Elhai, Tannenbaum, Spielman, Woody Johnson’s right-hand man Ira Akselrad and a few other associates from his personal investment company. — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Prosecutors say Lam and his associates then embarked on a staggering spending spree. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026