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 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 Investigators suspected the two killings were related but ran out of leads and the cases went cold. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 May 2025 Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate
Verb
  • The two have also bonded about their Mexican-American heritage.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 July 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • TikTok users flooded the comment section with responses describing the scene as heartwarming and emotionally stirring.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • The brothers ran, but Brown was fatally wounded, and witnesses described seeing a pickup truck fleeing the scene.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 30 June 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
  • Law enforcement officers raided a San Francisco home Tuesday associated with Devastating Pyrotechnics, the fireworks company linked to a deadly explosion last week in Esparto.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
  • Durability While ceramic cookware is often associated with fragility, not all clay is equal.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Onset was settled as a summer camp for Spiritualists, down from Boston for cool bay breezes and the opportunity to commune with the spectral and the dead.
    Dwyer Murphy May 16, Literary Hub, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
  • Apple is telling users that the old HomeKit architecture will soon stop working entirely and, crucially, some users will be upgraded automatically.
    Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The judge also ordered the parties to address whether and how the Supreme Court's recent ruling limiting universal injunctions should apply to her order.
    Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • Step 1: Prep the lips Dry lips will prevent the blurring effect, so gently massage lips with a scrub and then apply a moisturizing balm.
    Laura Solla, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Its global study on smartphone addiction identified the 10 most effective strategies to reduce smartphone use.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • About two years after the assault, Agnes must identify her gender on a government form.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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