combine 1 of 2

Definition of combinenext

combine

2 of 2

noun

1
as in cartel
a number of businesses or enterprises united for commercial advantage charged that the cable companies had formed an illegal combine for the purpose of keeping rates artificially high

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb combine differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of combine are associate, connect, join, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When would associate be a good substitute for combine?

The meanings of associate and combine largely overlap; however, 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 is it sensible to use connect instead of combine?

While in some cases nearly identical to combine, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

When might join be a better fit than combine?

Although the words join and combine have much in common, join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

In what contexts can link take the place of combine?

The synonyms link and combine are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 combine?

The words relate and combine can be used in similar contexts, but relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When is unite a more appropriate choice than combine?

The words unite and combine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

How does the verb combine differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of combine are associate, connect, join, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When would associate be a good substitute for combine?

The meanings of associate and combine largely overlap; however, 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 is it sensible to use connect instead of combine?

While in some cases nearly identical to combine, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

When might join be a better fit than combine?

Although the words join and combine have much in common, join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

In what contexts can link take the place of combine?

The synonyms link and combine are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 combine?

The words relate and combine can be used in similar contexts, but relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When is unite a more appropriate choice than combine?

The words unite and combine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 combine
Verb
Locals claim combining a cold plunge with a hot sauna is at the root of well-being. Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 The new look will deliver a reimagined and new space and combine it with 40 affordable housing units for seniors. Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
Such performances, typically staged during festivals and temple celebrations, combine singing, acting, martial arts, elaborate costumes and symbolic makeup to tell classical stories from Chinese folklore, history, and literature. Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 8 Mar. 2026 In the jar of a blender, combine pear, apple cider vinegar, apple cider, rice vinegar, honey, Tabasco and salt and process until smooth. C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combine
Verb
  • Located between Iran’s southern coast and a peninsula shared by Oman and the Emirates, the strait is a tiny section of sea connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
  • January 20 – February 18 New ideas connect friends in surprisingly useful ways.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Learning about dinosaurs feels like science mixed with fantasy.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
  • In another shallow bowl, mix the quinoa, salt, pepper, paprika and avocado oil.
    Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The heart of our agreement is a commitment to using lethal military force to destroy the sinister cartels and terrorist networks.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Trump has also been critical of Mexico's efforts to fight drug cartels and traded barbs with the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro.
    Selina Wang, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The combination of a weak economy and high inflation is a worst-case scenario for investors because the Federal Reserve has no good tool to fix both problems at the same time.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The combination of the imagery and the operational context has prompted particular interest in the distinctive markings visible on the bombs, which differ from those typically seen on standard JDAM configurations.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This Mercury-Jupiter trine unites your distant 9th house and your personal 1st house, since Jupiter’s currently in your sign.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The Bruins, though, have found success as a Big Ten giant, with the vestiges of the old conference united in the most unlikely way.
    Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Eyal noted that Palo Alto continues to see strong demand for security vendors with a unified platform ecosystem, which integrates multiple security functions, particularly network security, SASE (secure access service edge), endpoint and SIEM (security information and event management).
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Many Gulf desalination plants are physically integrated with power stations as co‑generation facilities, meaning attacks on electrical infrastructure could also hinder water production.
    Annika Hammerschlag, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Then in 2022, Iran paid two members of an Eastern European criminal syndicate to kill the Iranian dissident and journalist Masih Alinejad at her home in Brooklyn; this attack was also foiled.
    Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Sunny Nights stars D'Arcy Carden and Will Forte as a pair of siblings trying to launch a spray tan company out of the back of their van, only for things to go from bad to worse when they're blackmailed, indebted to a criminal syndicate, and running for their lives.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • To at least minimize the damage, the coalition is pressing state regulators to adopt a different, slightly longer path that follows existing highway corridors.
    Marc Levy, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
  • In the conservative coalition’s primary, Senator Paloma Valencia is the favorite among nine contenders.
    Oscar Medina, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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