combine 1 of 2

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

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 ultrafast and squeezed light pulses have been separately used for transmitting data, combining them enhances both speed and security. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025 While online sales for holiday are seen growing midsingle digits, overall holiday sales — digital and brick-and-mortar store sales combined — are seen growing just low-single digits. David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
The assault keeps him out of the combine and more or less kills his momentum. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025 In a medium saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for combine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combine
Verb
  • Aside from all the restaurants you're connected to, what is your favorite restaurant in Cincinnati?
    David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
  • There have been three prominent Listeria outbreaks recorded in the United States this year connected to prepared foods, including pasta meals such as chicken fettuccine Alfredo.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For most healthy adults, magnesium citrate mixed with juice is safe and effective.
    Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The natural oils are then mixed with either potassium hydroxide to create a liquid soap or sodium hydroxide to create a solid soap.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Trump secretly authorized military force against drug cartels in early August.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The strikes would target cartels’ leaders, members, and drug labs, the officials said.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This discovery allowed two other researchers to find ways to correct the misbehaving protein that culminated in a drug combination that has turned cystic fibrosis into a manageable condition.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Move pillows to a new location, transition covers to reflect the change in seasons, try new throw blanket and pillow combinations, swap curtains from two different rooms—so many possibilities.
    Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The team unites design, R&D, and manufacturing under one roof to reduce unnecessary markups, so that consumers pay for craftsmanship, not middlemen.
    William Jones, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • What unites these subscribers to America’s growing warrior culture is not their personal relationship to fighting but rather their perspective on what role the warrior, with the wisdom afforded by his abilities, should play in society.
    Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Following the success, Google may be planning to integrate the image model into some of its other apps and services.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In those intervening 35 years, China had moved 800 million rural peasants — living in extreme poverty on US$2 a day — into city apartments and integrated them into the global economy.
    Peter Leyden, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Today, Mak says the syndicate’s roughly 250 members include tech founders, Wall Street financiers, company executives, intelligence officials, former military leaders and Navy SEALs.
    Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • When Hernán helps Julia and her young daughter, Maribel, navigate treacherous borderlands, their desperate journey triggers the wrath of a ruthless trafficking syndicate.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Netanyahu, meanwhile, stands accused of having repeatedly turned down earlier deals with Hamas to appease extreme elements within his fragile coalition government.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement While trying to bridge internal party rifts, Takaichi will need to build a majority coalition and convince voters that changing leaders really matters.
    Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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