pertain

verb

pər-ˈtān How to pronounce pertain (audio)
Definition of pertainnext
1
as in to belong
to be the property of a person or group of persons the belief that quality medical care is a right that pertains to everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to relate
to have a relation or connection a person who is an expert in anything pertaining to the history of the American theater

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pertain And now, the newest update about Hilton’s situation pertains to his finances. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026 The same philosophy pertains to decor items that may look cute but do not serve a clear function, Ruiz adds. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 16 Sep. 2026 The statute pertains to the arrest of someone who is wanted in another state. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026 The web portal will launch with a glossary of some 180 terms pertaining to AI designed to bring standardization to what has been an unruly moving target. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertain
  1. belong
  2. relate
  3. apply
  4. refer
Verb
  • There is a quiet yearning to know himself—to find for himself a more substantial backstory and sense of belonging—in what Shimoda pieces together.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Company intelligence belongs within the operating context of an individual business.
    — Kelvin Cheema, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of belong
Verb
  • Asea was first arrested in April on stalking and computer-related allegations, but prosecutors dropped those charges in May before bringing a computer-access charge in September, court records show.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Police and prosecutors said Joshua Kerry, 28, had been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts between May 2024 and July this year, saying that these related in part to Farage.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • Doing so would entail repairing cracks that admit water, maintaining the foundations of each section, applying a sealant to slow the weathering process, and keeping the encroachment of vegetation in check.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Another act of retaliation, the lawsuit says, is that after applying for assistant chief of technical services, Dougan was rejected for allegedly failing to meet a new suppression-credential requirement.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • Jamal was sentenced to one year of probation and referred for deportation.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Campus police referred questions to his office, which declined to provide more detail on the incident.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of refer

Phrases Containing pertain

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Cite this Entry

“Pertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertain. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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