Definition of joinnext
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as in to enter
to become a member of we're always looking for new people to join our book club

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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join

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb join differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of join are associate, combine, connect, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

When would associate be a good substitute for join?

While the synonyms associate and join are close in meaning, 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 combine a more appropriate choice than join?

The words combine and join 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 could connect be used to replace join?

The meanings of connect and join largely overlap; however, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

Where would link be a reasonable alternative to join?

The synonyms link and join are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 join?

The words relate and join are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When can unite be used instead of join?

In some situations, the words unite and join 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 join
Verb
Mulroney, 62, joined the show to fill the gap in the fire station after Eamonn Walker scaled back his role as Chief Wallace Boden after 12 seasons. Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Hornicek spent 10 years in the youth system of Czech club Pardubice before joining Braga, initially on loan, in 2019. David Ornstein, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Last year, the 49ers traded Samuel for a fifth-round draft pick to the Washington Commanders, the franchise that Brandon Aiyuk has unsuccessfully angled to join since walking out on the 49ers last season. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 Just as notably, though, few other musicians have openly joined BTS’ Grammy boycott. Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for join
Recent Examples of Synonyms for join
Verb
  • Others stood still, hoping that patience would bring a butterfly close enough to touch.
    Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • As the agent got out and struggled to arrest Stanley, Morrow approached and touched the arresting agent’s shoulder, video shows.
    Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Khoslas are entering a new chapter for the franchise after nearly three decades under the Allen family — bringing a similar tech and business legacy, but a very different personal history.
    Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The freshman four-year graduation rate is the percentage of undergraduate students who entered the university as freshmen and completed their bachelor’s degree within four years.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • The larger objective is to combine pre-arrival planning and the on-property experience within one ecosystem.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • From the age of 14, pupils will be able to combine technical subjects like manufacturing and AI with core subjects like maths and English.
    Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Hicks said detectives are working to determine Williams' motives, and said the suspect's family was cooperating fully with law enforcement.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In September, Brun and an associate sold meth directly to a source cooperating with the detail.
    Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services found 12 categories of abuse and neglect of the Gray children connected to Marcee, including inadequate food, shelter and medical care, director Candice Broce said in court.
    Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Voters now connect it to jobs, schools, fraud, electricity bills, privacy, children and democracy.
    Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • To maximize efficiency, a complex triple-junction solar cell was made by stacking three perovskite absorbers with varying band gaps.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
  • The work still got done, but a person stood at every junction—checking, clicking and reconciling.
    Rahul Bhatia, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Then, another 20-year-old man, Daktari Rose Deacon, of Hyde Park, left a bathroom that adjoined the bedroom, according to police, who searched the bathroom and found another loaded firearm with an extended magazine.
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 July 2026
  • The principal gathering spaces include a great room and adjoining dining room, where a lengthy table is made of trees cleared from the property during construction.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • She was eventually caught by the chasers — with Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) replacing Mahe, who had rejoined the peloton — but won the combativity prize of the day, which was richly deserved for a strong effort.
    Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ahn Bo-hyun returns as Jin Yi-soo, the carefree chaebol heir turned Violent Crimes detective—rejoining the unit after completing his formal police academy training.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Join.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/join. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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