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
The heat index combines air temperature and relative humidity to measure what the heat feels like to the human body. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 28 July 2025 There are 20 standard amino acids universally used by life that can be combined into trillions of proteins, forming the building blocks of countless life forms. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2025
Noun
Along with the bat-to-ball skills — Cohen only struck out eight percent of the time in college — Cohen impressed the Giants during his interview with the team at the draft combine. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 July 2025 There were 90 prospects at the combine who went through 14 fitness tests, measuring aerobics, agility and more. Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for combine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combine
Verb
  • Art Jasmine Paco, Mt. Juliet High: Also an art winner who displays versatility and the ability to connect through through drawing, painting and other forms of artistic expression.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 14 July 2025
  • Palm trees line the shore, and a paved oceanfront trail connects Wailea to a series of smaller beaches and coves.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • In camp, Martin has been practicing with the third-team defense, with some second-team reps mixed in.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • One option is to mix a couple of drops of dish soap with warm water in a large bucket and scrub the items with a non-abrasive brush or sponge.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Like other cybercrime cartels, DragonForce locks down a system so the company can’t do payroll or work its registers, then demands ransom, typically in bitcoin, to unlock the files.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2025
  • She was asked about the documents on Tuesday during a press conference about the Trump administration's efforts to combat drug cartels.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Reentry Welcome Centers have historically kept themselves afloat through a combination of local funding, federal grants and philanthropic donations.
    Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
  • The store’s freezers are stocked with pies made with combinations of steak, mushrooms, bacon, ale, and haggis.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • New transit could help unite neighborhoods that have historically been divided by the train tracks, said Winston Von Engel, an urban planning expert.
    New York Times, New York Times, 29 July 2025
  • After getting out their rage, Happy and Shooter unite over preserving their love of traditional golf rather than Maxi League’s spectacle.
    Skyler Trepel, People.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • The marks a shift in extending the application of AI beyond technical domains to help workers integrate AI in their team.
    Jeanne Meister, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Once young people reach the workforce, our internships and onboarding should integrate wellness practices into the foundational skills that help them — and our companies — thrive.
    Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Whether through investment syndicates, peer networks, or regional alliances, family offices are building micro-communities modeled less on corporate structures and more on the village circle.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • So far, no one has ruled out the possibility that other groups—possibly from different governments or private crime syndicates—are also exploiting CVE-2025-53770.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • The annual festival was started in 2017 by the Red River Cultural District, a nonprofit coalition of Austin businesses and community organizations clustered around the live music corridor on Red River Street.
    Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • The ruling stems from a lawsuit brought in San Diego by a coalition of gun owners and gun-rights groups that alleged the law infringed on the Second Amendment rights of California residents.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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