1
as in communing
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 describing
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 pertaining
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 associating
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 relating
The Pisces new moon creates opportunities for fulfillment through relating.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
In relating her story this way, Gisèle is restoring to the record her waking life.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
Morello himself serves as kind of a guide in the film, relating his own love of metal growing up as a Black kid in a conservative, ethnically homogeneous suburb of Chicago.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
The collision of opposing perspectives forges art that challenges and confronts, that forces us out of familiar ways of thinking, relating and being.
—Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Reps for both Harry and the King said that the pair met for tea at Clarence House, relating afterwards that no other details would be shared.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Even the oldest maxim about cab drivers and bell hops giving share prices was tested by relating an anecdote about comments in his village pub from locals and complete strangers firing questions at him and a fellow gold trader about the gold price.
—Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
This is a time which reminds us that relating is a skill.
—Colin Bedell, Them., 16 Dec. 2025
The Humane Society of Huron Valley made that announcement on Friday, relating the story of Sugar the kitten and the animal abuse investigation reported in fall of 2024 in Ypsilanti.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Usa Today, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
In relating her story this way, Gisèle is restoring to the record her waking life.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
Morello himself serves as kind of a guide in the film, relating his own love of metal growing up as a Black kid in a conservative, ethnically homogeneous suburb of Chicago.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
The collision of opposing perspectives forges art that challenges and confronts, that forces us out of familiar ways of thinking, relating and being.
—Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Reps for both Harry and the King said that the pair met for tea at Clarence House, relating afterwards that no other details would be shared.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Even the oldest maxim about cab drivers and bell hops giving share prices was tested by relating an anecdote about comments in his village pub from locals and complete strangers firing questions at him and a fellow gold trader about the gold price.
—Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
This is a time which reminds us that relating is a skill.
—Colin Bedell, Them., 16 Dec. 2025
The Humane Society of Huron Valley made that announcement on Friday, relating the story of Sugar the kitten and the animal abuse investigation reported in fall of 2024 in Ypsilanti.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relating
Verb
-
The team were meek in defeat, but after a weekend carousing and communing in central London, Newcastle fans arrived at Wembley with a collective hangover.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Jefferson Airplane communing in the Haight.—
Joe Hagan,
Vanity Fair,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Blume’s fiction addressed what was ordinary but largely invisible, describing it with humor, warmth, and care.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Without so much as an introduction, the man began describing a way to create currency that couldn’t be forged.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cavanaugh, one of the DOGE staffers tasked with overseeing these cuts, said in deposition pertaining to the recent lawsuit the advisory failed to slash the government’s budget gap.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Beyond her musical achievements, she is known for her advocacy work pertaining to animal rights, environmental awareness, and LGBTQ+ visibility.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All have denied any wrongdoing or seeing anything untoward on their visits, and many have expressed regret at associating with Epstein.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But for the most part, your brain gets used to it despite associating the aesthetic with chaos and momentum.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The brothers have been bonding in a private behind-the-scenes den at the Carnivore Conservation Center but are beginning to explore beyond that space, officials said earlier this month.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The 14-year-old dives into filming in Malaysia and bonding with his castmates in more depth here.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All of us here have the appetite to keep telling it.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Why is the actor and musician telling us what to cook?—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That includes a new California bill, which attempts revive the mask restrictions by also applying them to state law enforcement officers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
-
In all, 34% of the total applications on hold are from people applying for green cards, immigrant visas, or citizenship, according to the Cato analysis, and roughly half are for work authorization permits.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Officers later arrested the suspect, identifying him as 35-year-old David Prince from Chico, California.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
One seals records identifying crime victims.—
Martin Dyckman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relating. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
