Definition of connectnext
1
2
3
as in to associate
to think of (something) in combination opera is popularly connected with high society

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb connect differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of connect are associate, combine, join, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

In what contexts can associate take the place of connect?

The meanings of associate and connect 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

Where would combine be a reasonable alternative to connect?

The words combine and connect can be used in similar contexts, but combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When is join a more appropriate choice than connect?

The words join and connect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

When can link be used instead of connect?

While in some cases nearly identical to connect, link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

When is it sensible to use relate instead of connect?

While the synonyms relate and connect are close in meaning, relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When might unite be a better fit than connect?

In some situations, the words unite and connect are roughly equivalent. However, 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 connect Growing evidence suggests that muscle mass and immune health are connected. Sarah Klein, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2026 Mensah and Toney connected on touchdown passes on the first two drives of the game for Miami (1-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) and then again on a 47-yarder in the third quarter that set the school record. ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 Owners should know exactly who can connect to it and what happens if an account gets compromised. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 The White House ballroom is needed for security reasons, because it’s connected to a military bunker. Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for connect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connect
Verb
  • Osteopathic medical education intentionally integrates biomedical, clinical, health systems and biomechanical sciences, and concepts aligned with complexity science into a coherent framework for physician formation.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Musk plans to integrate Cybercabs, which lack manual controls that passengers could use to take over in an emergency, into the company’s existing cab service, which until now has used only conventional Tesla vehicles.
    Bernard Condon, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Many legal instruments combine the constituting of governments with the assigning of territory and the proclaiming of laws.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Neither offense has looked great, as the teams have combined for only 250 yards.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has opposed mail voting and blamed fraud associated with mail voting for his 2020 election loss.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • That damage can affect circulation and increase the risk of stroke and other changes associated with cognitive decline.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Eliminating the burn zone WJGL technology is a precision manufacturing method that couples a high-power laser inside a microscopic, 50-micrometer stream of high-pressure water surrounded by protective shielding gas.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The authors of the Nature Energy paper found a way around that obstacle by coupling two ultra-thin nickel-titanium films.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Activists fused mourning and militance, fighting against indifference to the lives of gay men and, later, people of color and intravenous drug users.
    Robert W. Snyder, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Hong, favoring a backward-facing view of the mayhem, shoots in lengthy takes that swerve and snake with rough-and-tumble precision; the energies of car and camera seem to fuse into one.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Programs such as HyCAT are intended to provide more frequent opportunities to test technologies in realistic flight conditions, potentially allowing developers to identify problems earlier and iterate more quickly.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Plaintiffs sought information identifying people involved in conceiving, creating, and carrying out the fund.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The agricultural supply chains between the US and Canada have long been deeply interconnected.
    , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Public Library’s Neighborhood Science initiative aims to educate children and families about how the environment, human health, and community well-being are interconnected within a shared ecosystem.
    Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Most consumer clocks are built on DNA methylation, a process in which chemical tags called methyl groups attach to DNA as a person ages, altering the cytosine base and creating a pattern that correlates with biological age.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Process analyzers fail or their readings are not correlated to laboratory results.
    Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Connect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connect. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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