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
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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
-
Readers praised the baked goods and coffee at this North Center spot, with one reader describing it as an approachable and welcoming all-day spot.—
Kayla Samoy,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
South Korean officials responded by describing Kim’s statement as meaningful progress in relations.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While many in the Democratic Party leadership have moved to the Left on matters pertaining to Immigration and Customs Protection and Israel, Gallego stuck to more traditional rhetoric.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But when later asked about Mecklenburg County’s denial of public records pertaining to the death of 6-year-old Dominique Moody in December, Merriweather declined to comment.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hershey Foods, viewing Hersheypark as new and untested, did not want to risk visitors associating its brands with what could be a failing theme park.—
John Haddad,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Her other daughter, Beatrice, is reportedly also choosing to focus on her family and would like to keep away from publicly associating with her parents.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Logan and Hailey hit it off on their first date after bonding over their mutual love of cheesecake.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Crosslinking strengthens materials by bonding molecular chains together, improving durability and stability under stress.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Google’s response to this report is telling.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2026
-
This newsroom-wide project brings fast facts as stories unfold — making sure our local officials and institutions are telling the truth, serving our communities well and following through on their promises.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Southern California, researchers are applying the approach to eelgrass, a type of seagrass, as traditional restoration methods falter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The court document says their eligibility for public assistance programs was based on statements Elsagher and Elshazli provided to the county agency, which requires people applying to accurately report their household income and assets.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The site functions as a public service that allows the creator to stay mentally engaged while identifying trends and connections between stories that might otherwise go unnoticed by those too busy to consume multiple news sources.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Spring weather on the Front Range can be invigorating, but for Paton and Payton, April beauty is identifying a mid-round pick who becomes an impact player.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relating. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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