Synonyms of relate

relate

verb

ri-ˈlāt 

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

• bond
• commune
• click
• sympathize
• hit it off
• identify
• befriend
• empathize

2

as in to describe

to give an oral or written account of in some detail

we asked our uncle to relate the story of his visit to communist Russia many years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• describe
• tell
• narrate
• recount
• chronicle
• report
• set forth
• recite
• depict
• chart
• detail
• rehearse
• voice
• state
• disclose
• express
• reveal
• utter
• enumerate
• expose
• deliver
• divulge
• itemize
• give
• particularize
• reel off
• delineate
• render
• bare
• sketch
• let on (about)

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

• pertain
• apply
• refer
• affect
• appertain
• involve
• connect
• bear
• concern
• have to do with
• touch
• interest
• interrelate
• associate
• treat
• link
• deal (with)
• couple
• tie in

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

• associate
• identify
• correlate
• connect
• equate
• compare
• link
• tie (together)
• liken
• group
• lump (together)
• join

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distinguish
• differentiate
• separate
• set off
• discriminate
• contrast

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

Recent Examples of relate

The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights investigates thousands of discrimination complaints each year, about a third of which are disability-related. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

There were six deaths, drowning and medically related, at the lake last year. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026

Continuing in his take-no-prisoners approach, Lane moved on from Chalamet to relate an anecdote, first told by his friend Jesse Tyler Ferguson on a podcast, in which Lane met Ferguson’s young son, who was duly dazzled by The Lion King star. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026

Both dresses are related, to some degree, by Burton. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026