COMBINE Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

combine 1 of 2

verb

kəm-ˈbīn

Definition of combine

as in to connect

to come together to form a single unit the room's highly varied design elements combine to form a harmonious whole

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to mix

to turn into a single mass or entity that is more or less the same throughout combine the sugar and flour in a bowl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

combine

2 of 2

noun

ˈkäm-ˌbīn

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

as in combination

an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection one of the most notorious combines in the history of organized crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Founded by a pair of YouTube veterans, Promise already has been combining tech-y outsiders with traditional entertainment. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 While a combined Stripe-PayPal would still be outmatched by Global Payments and JPMorgan, combining forces would help both companies compete. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 July 2026

Noun

Dunlap is committed to Tennessee but also participated in the MLB combine. — Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Its long focal length, oversized sensor (for a compact), and relatively wide aperture combine to create background blur, most noticeable when there is some distance between the subject and the background, or when working at macro distances. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for combine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combine

Verb

In November, an LLC connected to homebuilder Next Generation Capital bought the property from a family trust, according to the assessor’s office.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Researchers and psychologists agree that this feeling can fuel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to stay connected, for fear of missing an opportunity, an event, or an experience.

— Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026

Definition of connect

Noun

The cartel is led by Nicolás Sierra Santana, who faces a formal indictment in the District of Columbia for conspiracy to traffic drugs, filed in June 2025.

— María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
In season 2, Joe and her team mobilize to rescue a member of Congress kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.

— Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Definition of cartel

Verb

The idea is to build a party that manages to unite (and to do so more than grudgingly) across its various wings, much as the opposition in Hungary did to defeat Viktor Orbán and now, hopefully, to stamp out Orbánism.

— Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
LeBron James, Wade and Chris Bosh united to produce the Big 3, and took the organization to great heights in their four-year run together.

— Omar Kelly July 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Definition of unite

Verb

Later in the curriculum, students will learn to ethically and effectively integrate AI into advanced legal research, writing, and clinical practice.

— Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
In future updates, the platform is expected to integrate an advanced commercial version of the model, further improving depth completion, object boundary detection, and spatial structure understanding.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026

Definition of integrate

Noun

Rather than working in large criminal syndicates as many Westerners assume, Yahoo Boys typically work alone, asking victims for money – most often in the form of gift cards.

— Mackenzie Farkus, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
Until then, global syndicates will happily roll the dice on street-level arrests while the corporate entities handling the cash enable the pipeline.

— Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026

Definition of syndicate

Noun

In a letter to SANDAG, a coalition of pro-development and transit groups have called on the agency to follow state guidance to include Solana Beach in the map and expand upzoning around Oceanside’s Transit Center.

— Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
Whitmer's office did not immediately provide a response to NPR about that letter, or the letter from the coalition of organizations.

— Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 11 July 2026

Definition of coalition

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combinations

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“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of combine

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noun

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