attach

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as in to confiscate
to take ownership or control of (something) by right of one's authority attached the house for nonpayment of property taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word attach distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of attach are affix, fasten, and fix. While all these words mean "to make something stay firmly in place," attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

When could affix be used to replace attach?

The words affix and attach can be used in similar contexts, but affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

Where would fasten be a reasonable alternative to attach?

In some situations, the words fasten and attach are roughly equivalent. However, fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

When is it sensible to use fix instead of attach?

The synonyms fix and attach are sometimes interchangeable, but fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

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 attach Dahlias, zinnias, and other cut-and-come-again flowers often come with soil, cobwebs, and detritus attached to them. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025 The marine snails, also called slipper shells, are found worldwide in shallow waters and often attached to rocks or other shells. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025 The second satellite is attached to the International Space Station and would be turned off. Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Aug. 2025 With their stems still attached, cherries should stay fresh in the fridge for about 10 days. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for attach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attach
Verb
  • Photo : Mecum The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO from the side with number 10 affixed.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The signature is a warrant for affixing the great seal to the commission; and the great seal is only to be affixed to an instrument which is complete.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Spradlin was the church’s senior pastor from 2011 until the beginning of July, when she was appointed district superintendent for the South District of the United Methodist Church’s Horizon Texas Conference.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The dismissals come as the state’s bar advocates — private attorneys appointed by the court to take on indigent clients when a public defender is not available — continue their ongoing strike for better pay.
    Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Desert Diamond Arena may confiscate items that could cause danger or disruption or are in breach of building policies.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Police confiscated his firearm, interviewed him, and—on the advice of the Harris County District Attorney's Office—released him without a charge.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • The feature marks her directorial follow-up to 2023 romantic comedy Rye Lane, which earned two British Independent Film Awards and was nominated at the BAFTA Awards.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Bunny won the artist of the year award in 2022 and was nominated again last year.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • About 145 fire personnel were assigned to the Bronco Fire, according to the team.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Preeti and her baby were assigned one of the program’s ten beds in the next room.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Nothing provided on this site constitutes tax advice.
    Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Fain refused to provide records requested by the monitor, constituting an obstruction of transparency and cooperation.
    Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The County Ambassador Program allows each of Indiana’s 92 counties to designate a student to represent the area and promote its quality of life and job opportunities to others.
    Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Instead, veteran infielder Jon Berti was designated for assignment.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • According to a Snowflake Research study, 92% of early adopters see ROI from AI, yet 58% still name preparing data as their top obstacle.
    Adrian Carr, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Even his name was part of the plan: Cunha was named after Jairzinho, the attacking hurricane of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup win.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attach. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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