IDENTIFY Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

identify

verb

ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī

Definition of identify

as in to distinguish

to find out or establish the identity of sufficient forensic evidence to allow investigators to identify the perpetrator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to associate

to think of (something) in combination for some reason, he always identified the color red with flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 identify Shortly after Hollander was identified as the assumed killer, the rest of his car was searched and police started to suspect him in another murder case with similar details. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026 The department didn’t identify the adults or the child, but said the two adults were married, and the boy was their biological child. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Of the remains recovered and identified, 269 are female, 489 are male, and 85 are children, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said in an update earlier today. — Kosh Raj Koirala, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026 The two Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers injured in the shooting were identified as Joseph Michnowski, a five-year veteran, and Yahye Ahmed, a nearly two-year veteran, according to the BCA. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for identify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for identify

Verb

Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
However, recent scholarship posits that the structure was used as ordinary (rather than punitive) housing, and that the vulgar decor was in fact a distinguishing characteristic of the epoch.

— Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinguish

Verb

Medicare generally does not cover the expenses associated with long-term care, which includes medical and nonmedical care for people with chronic illnesses or disability.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
For example, El Niño is associated with mass coral bleaching in the tropics, wildfires in Indonesia and heavy rainfall in parts of South America.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of associate

Verb

Organizations need security operations capable of correlating multiple attack vectors, responding at machine speed and continuously learning from attacks occurring far beyond the walls of any single enterprise.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The rise in inmate deaths does correlate with rising incarceration rates.

— TJ Rhodes, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of correlate

Verb

Much of that is because of Bowers, arguably the most talented tight end league-wide, but also because Mayer has found success in Kubiak’s heavy sets, and Thomas continues to provide value as a blocker.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Red walls, heavy draperies with swags and fringe, and jacquard fabrics with gold accents could be found in many homes.

— Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of find

Verb

That gave Michigan one more shot, and Underwood made this one count, connecting with JJ Buchanan for a game-winning 47-yard touchdown to avert disaster in Kyle Whittingham’s debut as Wolverines coach.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The next step will connect microscopic damage with the properties that matter most for fusion magnets.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of connect

Verb

He was located in Indiana, where he is being held pending extradiction, the release said.

— Elgin Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
According to police, crews with the Westport Police Department located the vessel, a white 1998 Seamaster, and found that it was submerged.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of locate

Verb

Neiman speculates that polyploidy and the snail’s unusual reproductive strategies are related.

— Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
Though theories implicated everyone from rival rapper Biggie Smalls to Knight’s wife Sharitha — neither of whom was ever charged in connection with the murder — investigators long suspected the killing was gang-related.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026