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 Around 21,000 records pertain to CBP employees, and nearly 7,000 belong to staff at ICE. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 28 Oct. 2026 Though the complaint alleged that Full Sail University was part of the fraud, the judge found that the claimants had failed to offer any details pertaining to that school. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 While that news pertains to an individual’s potential tax bill, Meta’s quarterly report shows just how low the company’s tax bill might be. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 As the noise around college football continues to get louder pertaining to what is transpiring at Texas right now for Steve Sarkisian. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertain
  1. belong
  2. relate
  3. apply
  4. refer
Verb
  • Her search for her father becomes a journey into identity, belonging and the lives of people left out of official historical accounts.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Banking consolidation belongs in that conversation because financing helps determine which developments proceed, which businesses expand and which families acquire assets.
    — Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of belong
Verb
  • The researchers point out that the mat was dominated by compounds derived from photosynthetic pigments, while the extract’s porphyrins were overwhelmingly heme-related.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Flagstaff police said that a second man, whose identity hasn’t been released, also was found dead Monday in a drainage area, and that the death appeared to be weather-related, pending an official determination of cause and manner of death.
    — Christopher Weber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • Bills have been introduced in Congress to raise the cap to apply to higher thresholds, such as $250,000 or $400,000, or to eliminate it altogether.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The affordable housing bond funds the city’s Housing Trust Fund, which is distributed based on who applies, how their application is scored and ultimately, approval from city council.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • The House voted late Tuesday to refer the resolution to a committee, effectively killing it, after no Republicans joined Massie and House Democrats.
    — Stefan Becket, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • All nine Republican House lawmakers from both states voted to refer the resolution to the Judiciary Committee, a move designed to effectively kill the impeachment effort by preventing a final vote on the House floor.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 2026.

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