associate 1 of 5

verb (1)

ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce associate (audio)
Definition of associatenext
1
as in to travel
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to combine
to come together to form a single unit the elements hydrogen and oxygen associate to form molecules of water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to cooperate
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 5

noun (1)

ə-ˈsō-shē-ət How to pronounce associate (audio)
1
as in colleague
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
2
as in partner
a fellow worker my associates at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

associate

3 of 5

adjective

as in auxiliary

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

associates

4 of 5

verb (2)

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in mixes
to take part in social activities you should try to associate with people your own age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

associates

5 of 5

noun (2)

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
2
as in coworkers
a fellow worker my associates at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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 event glorified Black entrepreneurs in the way usually associated with athletes and soul music stars. —Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026 Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, which is associated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards, said the Bahrain base was targeted by Iranian attacks. —CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
Broadcast associate, Mariah Johnson. —Heather Abbott, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026 According to prosecutors, that prompted an associate at one of the investment companies to contact AllHere’s accountant for the report, which showed AllHere’s annual recurring revenue was millions of dollars below what Smith-Griffin reported to investors in prior quarters. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
That meant associate head coach Kim Weiss was in charge of the Tier II junior team that weekend. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026 Pollack is a professor of law and the associate dean for faculty development at Cardozo School of Law. —Michael Pollack, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
Hunger can be another motivator, especially if your feline associates certain times or behaviors with food. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025 Create Low-Stakes Opportunities for Visibility Gen Z often associates visibility with exposure to criticism. —Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
The report goes on to say that following the arrest of Salas and several of his associates for racketeering and insurance licensing fraud, warrants were issued to search their electronics. —Anna McAllister, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 Kristen Meszaros, director of training and development, said the Southlake project is vital to understanding the needs of clients and to help sales associates learn in an immersive environment. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for associate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate
  1. auxiliary
  2. subsidiary
  3. secondary
Adjective
  • But the celebrations in one Tehran neighborhood were also furtive and short-lived to avoid riot police or members of the Basij, a voluntary auxiliary force with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
    — Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Belts and pulleys are fine for use with auxiliary equipment such as water pumps, alternators, air conditioners and power steering, but are not great for high-power, high-torque automatic transmissions.
    — Ed Sokalski, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of auxiliary
Adjective
  • Long-term commitment Abel has been known internally as a hands-on operator with a deep bench of subsidiary CEOs reporting to him.
    — Yun Li, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
  • In 2023, it was revealed that major industry players had helped a subsidiary company called Flannery Associates stealthily buy up tens of thousands of acres of relatively cheap farmland in Solano County, on the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, for about $800 million over several years.
    — Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of subsidiary
Adjective
  • And while sports will be a secondary concern to those in the Middle East this week, the conflict has triggered fresh doubts over Iran’s participation in the competition, with the country involved in escalating violence following strikes by the United States and Israel.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Based on the 1928 original, the watch features a solid gold dial with an aperture that displays jumping hours at 12 o’clock and a secondary aperture that shows dragging minutes.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of secondary

Browse Nearby Words

assists
associate
associated
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Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on associate

Nglish: Translation of associate for Spanish Speakers

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