RELATES Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

relates

verb

present tense third-person singular of relate

as in communes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in describes

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

as in pertains

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

as in associates

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

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 relates Philbrick relates all this less as history than as a stage play. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 The film slowly relates that the aspiring rapper and superfan ingratiated himself into the band’s circles, flying to New York multiple times as a teenager for the purpose. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Most of the funding gap relates specifically to weapons purchases, Zelensky said, and future financing for Ukraine could come in the form of deals for sharing technology and joint drone production. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 And then Mowbray relates some personal evidence of what has not changed — Middlesbrough’s attachment to football. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Musk’s father, Errol Musk, is interviewed in the film and relates a telling incident in which the family drove by the scene of a man who was being resuscitated by the side of the road. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 Because the girl relates well to you, continue to fill that role. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026 Some of the bill’s language relates directly to e-bikes, specifically to those making and selling the devices, while other sections of the bill address speeds for everyone using bike paths, multiuse trails and sidewalks. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Each and every item relates in some way to the novel’s storyline, yet miraculously, many of the objects were sourced before the book was even written. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relates

Verb

Unable to speak the language, Teresa nevertheless bonds with Milena (Ana Marija Veselcic), another outsider in the community.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026
In it, a young woman who has never been attracted to anyone romantically bonds with a man who is wired the same way.

— Mark Schilling, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of bonds

Verb

Berry, who died last month and never did buy a computer (or a smartphone), describes in the essay his writing process, which involved drafting a piece by hand and then having his wife transcribe it on a typewriter.

— August Lamm, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Their calculations used a feature of the model called a universal scaling function, which describes how physical quantities with dimensions, such as length, change over cosmic time.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of describes

Verb

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
The lawsuit pertains to eight items, including the Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha and Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha, as well as the iced versions of those drinks.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of pertains

Verb

The watch is presented on a black fabric strap, but comes with two additional rubber straps lined in red and green, respectively—colors Soldier associates with the present and past.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2026
Innova also associates afternoon snacking specifically with satisfaction, while other dayparts lean toward refreshment or indulgence.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of associates

Verb

Proponents say the measure applies to eight categories of projects California communities need to expand housing, improve civic infrastructure and promote green energy.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
On the other hand, many of these albums are timeless and continue to resonate, and today’s streaming culture has embraced exhuming catalog music — something that applies not only to old singles, but to old albums.

— Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of applies

Verb

Each layer identifies different kinds of risk, so skipping any of them leaves a gap that greater intelligence only widens.

— Kumar Chivukula, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Our study identifies internal noise as an important factor that facilitates this brain plasticity.

— Woon Ju Park, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of identifies

Verb

Once in office, Johnson quickly pulled closer to Trump — so close that Johnson candidly recounts their almost daily phone calls and chats, often offering his impressions in the president’s voice.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
In her candidate statement, Weber recounts how her family fled the Jim Crow South, where her parents were unable to vote.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026