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 Duke has an institutional climate commitment too, efforts include having over 300 climate and sustainability related classes and $3.7 million awarded in seed grants for research on climate. Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Paul Weiss drew Trump’s ire not for anything sports related but largely because of former law firm partner—and former federal prosecutor—Mark Pomerantz. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2025 The keepers of the winter count are charged not only with recording new events but with relating the community’s history by translating the symbolized events to an oral performance. Christopher T. Green, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025 During the sketch, Thompson called out the fact that Darius and Murphy's Morgan, who wore a shimmery red jacket and a comically large gold medallion, seemed like they might be related. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate
Verb
  • Though a collab didn’t happen then, the two bonded after they were connected through Justin’s mentor Usher (Diddy used to be Usher’s mentor as well).
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 16 May 2025
  • Johnson’s flagship initiative — a $1.25 billion bond program — is a continuation of the city practice of bonding for capital investments.
    Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Nancy Preis, Opera in the Ozarks general director, will describe the new, state-of-the-art theater built with funds from the Walton Family Foundation at Inspiration Point outside Eureka Springs.
    Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2025
  • The first three have to do with the yield curve, which describes the structure of interest rates (yields) in the Treasury market.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • But those costs wouldn’t pertain to certain eligible students.
    Juan Ortega, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
  • One of them pertained to McIlroy and his success at this track.
    Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • That's because psychological benefits are associated with having a college fund.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • On the heels of this dementia study, researchers in South Korea found that the shingles vaccine is associated with heart health benefits, too.
    Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • In Cannes, at least, artists communing over fine food and wine is still the last refuge.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 14 May 2025
  • Apparently some people communed with spirits to locate the first underground oil reserves.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo told reporters she was caught off guard by the news, and has asked the prosecutor's office to ask the U.S. Department of Justice for more information.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The prequel centers on lead character Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), who originally appeared in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and tells the origin story of the Rebel Alliance, which would go on to defeat the evil Galactic Empire.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The $30 cost includes all fees, but not taxes as applicable according to city, state and venue and applies to amphitheater shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Find AI automation opportunities Manual processes suffocate growth potential.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The release didn't name the woman or identify any suspects in the shooting.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2025
  • This evaluation was prompted by issues identified in previous unannounced inspections of BOP facilities, as well as the deaths of two BOP inmates, Robert Hanssen and Frederick Bardell, from colorectal cancer.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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