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
Our team’s most recent achievement, from October 2025, combines the above innovations. J. Carson Meredith, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026 This optional accessory combines a case and a stylus, bringing note-taking and drawing to the Find N6. Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
Smith trained local basketball players for pro scouting combines and used his player connections in the scheme, KGO-TV reported, citing prosecutors. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026 Jones said at the NFL scouting combine that the team was no longer planning on doing that, considering the issues the defense had last season. Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combine
Verb
  • Officers connected Spano to the hit-and-run and arrested him.
    Dave Carlin, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • But he's kept going door-to-door to make sure that children who have HIV are still taking their medications, connected to medical care and feeling supported.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Over his generous pours of cheap beer and dive-bar cocktails, aging All-Americans and national champions told stories about their old coach, mixing in laughs with the occasional Holtz imitation.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
  • That worry, however, appears to mostly be coming from outside of the organization, from fans and scouts, though members of the latter group came away impressed with the way Manaea mixed his pitches against Miami.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Those include Mexico's Sinaloa cartel as well as the Cartel de los soles, or Cartel of the Suns, a term used to describe a loose network of corrupt, high-ranking military officers in neighboring Venezuela.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Sometimes what the cartel needs most is a guy who’s a whiz with a spreadsheet.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Covering the chicken breasts in a combination of flour and Parmesan instead of the typical breadcrumbs makes for a crunchy frico-like coating that’s far more fun.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
  • That combination is designed to attract as many people as possible.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Charlotte Checkers hosted its first Book Club Night in partnership with Trope Bookshop, uniting 450 hockey fans and sports romance lovers.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The ground that unites the powerless against the powerful is always about to collapse.
    George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Terafab is designed to produce up to one trillion watts of compute annually, integrating logic, memory, and advanced packaging in a single facility.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
  • But the sleeping area is the room most loved by the owners—the bespoke headboard serves as a storage element integrated into the closet.
    Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The mining gangs are often armed and violent in protecting their territory and are controlled by criminal syndicates, authorities say.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Carlsen noted that funds from both IT worker schemes and crypto heists frequently end up with Chinese brokers tied to organized-crime syndicates.
    Lisa Cavazuti, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • When a coalition of figures assembled at a Georgetown University forum, in February, 2023, the former Crown Prince sat humbly in a row of eight, alongside two actresses, a soccer player, and an Iranian Kurdish separatist.
    Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • But Netanyahu has the ability to dissolve the governing coalition before then and call early elections.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on combine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster