1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
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Recent Examples of relates
Considered narrowly, statesmanship relates primarily to politics and government.
—
John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Antinous is the principal mortal antagonist in Homer’s Odyssey, which relates Odysseus’s difficulties while getting home and how Penelope and her son, Telemachus, struggled to maintain their authority on Ithaca.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Mar. 2026
There’s a lovely little formula called the small-angle approximation that relates the two.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
But the story Sorkin relates is really all about the insiders, their privileged lives, their thoughts and actions.
—The Know, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the omniscient, just-the-facts-ma’am narration relates the days and times and events with an efficiency that speaks to us of the unstoppable nature of fate.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The Fund has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates.
—Muyao Shen, Bloomberg, 30 Dec. 2025
Nest New York delivers on the sort of scent profile that relates holiday cheer with pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber, and at 25% off.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
There is a buildup that the president has not explained in a way that relates solely to the actions that are currently going down in the Caribbean and with respect to the drug trade that the president has been discussing with Congress.
—CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Antinous is the principal mortal antagonist in Homer’s Odyssey, which relates Odysseus’s difficulties while getting home and how Penelope and her son, Telemachus, struggled to maintain their authority on Ithaca.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Mar. 2026
There’s a lovely little formula called the small-angle approximation that relates the two.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
But the story Sorkin relates is really all about the insiders, their privileged lives, their thoughts and actions.
—The Know, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the omniscient, just-the-facts-ma’am narration relates the days and times and events with an efficiency that speaks to us of the unstoppable nature of fate.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The Fund has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates.
—Muyao Shen, Bloomberg, 30 Dec. 2025
Nest New York delivers on the sort of scent profile that relates holiday cheer with pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber, and at 25% off.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
There is a buildup that the president has not explained in a way that relates solely to the actions that are currently going down in the Caribbean and with respect to the drug trade that the president has been discussing with Congress.
—CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relates
Verb
-
The owner of concert promoter Brew Ha Ha Productions describes himself as a libertarian-leaning conservative who built his career in San Juan Capistrano.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Rostec describes the jet as a record-holder in enemy aircraft interceptions.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Trinity development pertains to two parcels of land located between the BSG facility and New Rutherford Avenue, and on New Rutherford Avenue, which are owned by the Boston Planning Department, the lawsuit states.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That also pertains to our commitment to become a Spanish-English bilingual museum.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Greene’s heart-to-heart media tour has been jarring liberals and anyone else who associates her with conspiratorial beliefs and outrageous comments.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
21 Nov. 2025
-
Everyone associates that with us.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Comedy is the throughline that bonds it all together.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Although her sons might not be interested in acting yet, there's another way Banks bonds with her kids.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In this book, Colbert tells the story of the ways people came to understand dinosaurs, the major discoveries that moved the field forward and the colorful characters behind the research.—
Steve Brusatte,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2026
-
At a staff meeting before Chairwoman Park’s arrival, Josh tells club employees that new ownership means potential layoffs.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If a parent applies for a Parent PLUS Loan and is denied, the student may automatically qualify for additional federal aid, up to $4,000 for underclassmen and $5,000 for upperclassmen.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The next applies the policy or business logic.—
Anita Beveridge-Raffo,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Elijah’s arrest affidavit identifies at least some of the eight as members of the gang KKKreep.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The man in the black shirt, who later identifies himself as a detective, begins to repeatedly punch the man in the teal shorts.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reggie Daniel, Kennedy's cousin, recounts his first encounter with Weeks.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Mix recounts tales of exceptional Chargers teammates, including Lance Alworth, Ernie Ladd and Jack Kemp.—
Ron Mix,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relates. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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