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
Add half the dressing and toss to combine. Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026 When choosing trees for year-long interest, consider both long-term and temporal sources of color and texture, and think about how these combine with other elements. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
The combine wrapped up in Indianapolis Sunday and 319 college football players were invited to show off their skills and interview with teams. American Statesman Staff, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026 Hortiz said last week at the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis that retaining Mack and Oweh, another pending free agent, was a priority for the offseason. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 3 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
  • Simply mix 250g of low-fat quark (which contains around 20g of protein) with 40g of ground oats, half a banana as a natural binding agent and a dash of milk.
    Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Ground chicken is mixed with mild Monterey Jack cheese and a classic buffalo-style seasoning to make these flavorful meatballs.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • California's border with Mexico has been a battleground between the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • 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 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Research shows that the most effective ways to help someone end their addiction to alcohol often includes a combination of approaches like behavioral therapies, medications such as naltrexone or disulfiram, and a support system like 12-step programs.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The shimmery eyes are a combination of the brand’s Wondercolour Longwear Cream Eyeshadow Stick in shades Cream Fresca, Little Star, Brazilionaire, and Umber One, topped off by Lashify Stardust Gossamer lashes, while the glossy lip was achieved with Wondergloss Collagen Lip Oil in Spicy Pink.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate GOP is not united on forcing Democrats to commit to a talking filibuster to pass the voter ID bill.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Conceived of as a living, breathing body, and accompanied by various soundtracks, the textile will unite the other works on display, including Entropy Altar, which generates random numbers, yielding unpredictable patterns and touches on the human need to find meaning in data.
    News Desk, Artforum, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The company is now bringing Physical AI to Europe for the first time, launching a pilot project at its Leipzig plant in Germany to integrate humanoid robots into car production and explore battery and component manufacturing.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Niches and shelving can be integrated into these, as well, for a comprehensive custom end result.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Atterton wanted to use the hijacking as an opportunity to take out not only Sam but Bailey-Brown, removing any other trace of the Kingdom hijacking in the first season, and establishing his dominance over the Cheapside Firm, an international crime syndicate based in London.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Recent Mexican history is riddled with the tales of once-powerful syndicates — gangs in Guadalajara, Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, among them — that ruptured, were gobbled up by other mobs or petered out as the big guys were captured or killed.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • They were introduced for students in England and Wales in 2012, after the coalition government tripled tuition fees from £3,290 to £9,000 per year (there are no fees for students from Scotland, and they’re capped at about half the rate in Northern Ireland).
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 1 Mar. 2026
  • About $4 million of that would be steered toward County Medical Services, according to election paperwork filed by two county labor unions and a coalition of nonprofit leaders.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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