relate

1
as in to bond
to form a close personal relationship she and I relate so well it's almost like we're siblings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in to pertain
to have a relation or connection how does your comment relate to what the rest of us have been talking about for the last hour?

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to associate
to think of (something) in combination most Americans probably relate tea to the United Kingdom and coffee to the U.S.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb relate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of relate are associate, combine, connect, join, link, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When can associate be used instead of relate?

The synonyms associate and relate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 relate?

In some situations, the words combine and relate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 relate?

Although the words connect and relate have much in common, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

When is it sensible to use join instead of relate?

While in some cases nearly identical to relate, join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

When might link be a better fit than relate?

The words link and relate can be used in similar contexts, but link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

When would unite be a good substitute for relate?

The words unite and relate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 relate Northrop Grumman officials, though, said the ULA and Artemis boosters are not directly related. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025 Despite his policy expertise, Murthy’s speech was personal, relating the lowest points in his career and the power of a small group of friends to shift his mindset and repair his spirit. Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 Mohamed told the board that related AI guidelines prohibit sharing any personal data or using it for grading. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025 Although Jaylin and Jalen Williams are not related, Jalen does have a brother in the NBA. Caroline Blair, People.com, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for relate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate
Verb
  • While federal law doesn’t require employers to grant employees paid leave to deal with illnesses or family matters—such as bonding with a new baby—multiple states have passed their own laws to this effect in recent years.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • The two have also bonded about their Mexican-American heritage.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Among the students, what might broadly be described as concern over political correctness simply did not exist.
    Brooke Allen, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
  • Under former Presidents Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush, amnesty proposals were seldom described as such.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • One of the most perplexing and detrimental aesthetic choices implemented here pertains to the emblematic animals in Dora’s purview.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 July 2025
  • This may seem a generous assessment—a prudent forecast would be crazy-high intoxication, at a minimum—but this pertains to the have-it-large contingent, which is relatively small.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Line dances are generally associated with country music, but now creating line dances to pop songs is the new trend.
    Angelica Wells, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
  • Soliman also is associated with the Clifton Mosque and has led multiple services there, according to the mosque's website.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Volunteer to water trees The Carmel-Clay Parks and Recreation Department gives children a chance to get their hands wet while communing with nature.
    John Tuohy, IndyStar, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Those who like taking their SUV or truck out to the middle of nowhere to commune with nature and enjoy quality time with friends and family will appreciate the Howler Brothers theme.
    Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • We were told that hundreds of deals were in the making.
    Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
  • Sources familiar with the matter tell The Hollywood Reporter that the projections for the album — his seventh full-length — are estimated at about 150,000 to 160,000 album equivalent units for week one, while Hits magazine is projecting 175,000 units.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • As my Organizational Behavior professor at INSEAD, Kets de Vries challenged us to think about how to apply principles, not just learn them.
    Melanie Hughes, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • The same applies to travelers with mobility concerns.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • The outlet has not been publicly identified by law enforcement.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
  • As of Thursday, July 10, 334 earthquakes had been identified at Mount Rainier by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN), Cascades Volcano Observatory Public Information Officer Holly Weiss-Racine told USA TODAY.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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