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
While the urgency to fill roles quickly is real, the most effective approach combines speed with structure. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026 Today, the program publishes six days a week and combines news headlines with commentary informed by Drake’s decades of industry experience. Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
After needing surgery to repair the UCL in his throwing arm, Beck likely wouldn’t have been able to throw at the combine and pro days last year. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026 Heinecke has been preparing for the NFL draft since his waiver and appeal were denied and participated in the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine. Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combine
Verb
  • Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer has made millions of dollars investing in offshore private equity funds connected to islands known for lax tax policies, according to tax returns posted Thursday.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Your network is ready to grow, and travel, whether to see existing friends or connect with professional contacts, is well supported this month.
    Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • At times, the ideological beliefs of some militants were mixed with financial opportunism, a motivation shared also by some politicians and military officers.
    Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
  • There’s a rule in quantum physics that all identical quantum states are indistinguishable from one another, and that enables them to mix together.
    Big Think, Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Forcibly disappearing people has long been a tactic by cartels to consolidate control through terror while also concealing homicide numbers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The closure forced Kenyan khat traders to route exports to Somalia through costly air shipments, which drove up prices and left farmers at the mercy of cartels who levied unofficial commissions.
    Joseph Maina, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The rooms Accommodation here is a combination of 27 freestanding cabins and cabin suites as well as rooms in a central guesthouse.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • That combination can turn a small spark into a fast-moving fire.
    Joe Ruch, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Grégoire, who led a list uniting the traditional left, the Greens and the Communists, claimed victory after estimates based on partial results placed him well ahead of conservative rival Rachida Dati, who acknowledged defeat.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
  • There is no warp drive, no faster-than-light travel, no planetwide organization united behind the single purpose of exploring the stars.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The score is bigger and easier to read, the bases and count are brighter and stand out more against a darker background, and the design more seamlessly integrates the pitch clock as well as information like the batter’s exit velocity.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • One of the strategies for combatting climate change in the Tomorrow Garden is agroforestry, which integrates the cultivation of trees and crops together.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Caleb Davies, another Kalshi trader who has earned $389,000 in culture markets over the past two years, says that the absence of financial organizations or syndicates of traders with big money allows knowledgeable traders to profit off of people who simply bet on their faves.
    David Hill, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The four-hour epic by by Aditya Dahr is the sequel to Dhurandhar ($20 million in North American) and stars Ranveer Singh as an undercover Indian intelligence agent working to infiltrate Pakistani politics and Karachi’s criminal syndicates.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • If Paxton secures the nomination, it will likely be driven by the unwavering support of the GOP’s grassroots base, the same coalition that helped revive his political standing after he was impeached and later acquitted on corruption charges by the Texas legislature three years ago.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
  • And so our coalition, early in Johnson’s administration, met with the mayor and deputy mayor to establish the office through ordinance; since October 2024, the mayor has backed away from the effort and remained silent and nonresponsive about this necessary strategy.
    Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

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