1
as in interaction
relations plural
doings between individuals or groups
relations between the rival newspapers remained friendly despite their competition for the same stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in relationship
the fact or state of having something in common
there's no relation between you losing your favorite baseball hat and your team losing the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in partnership
the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters)
our intramural baseball team had a relation with the other baseball teams in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sex
relations plural
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
a law that prohibits relations between close relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 relation
Hungarians lost trust in Orban and want a different approach on EU relations rather than the tired attacks on the populists’ favorite scapegoat.
—
Lionel Laurent, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, relations with spouses, partners and members of the general public are powerful.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
Now she’s cleared of charges, but the public-relations problems remain.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Kalshi opened a Washington office in January and tapped Biden administration alum John Bivona as its first head of government relations.
—Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relation
Lionel Laurent, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, relations with spouses, partners and members of the general public are powerful.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
Now she’s cleared of charges, but the public-relations problems remain.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Kalshi opened a Washington office in January and tapped Biden administration alum John Bivona as its first head of government relations.
—Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relation
Noun
-
The smaller setting also allows for more direct interaction, which Lavallee said is critical for independent creators working to build an audience.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Their results showed that the unusual absorption behavior arises from interactions between excitons, which carry energy, and charge-transfer states, where electrons move between molecules.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Six Jackson family members are credited as producers and still seem to be grappling with how their freakishly gifted and damaged relative came to exist.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Oftentimes relatives come forward to care for children but not always.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hartnett shared the secret to their solid relationship in August 2024.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Talk to me a little bit about how Santos’ own experience with addiction and self-harm colors her relationship with Langdon.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Themes are typically selected based on factors including their appeal to a wide demographic, ability to execute compelling content, marketing, exhibits and potential community partnerships, according to a fairgrounds staff report.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Reichelt, founder of Rocky Peak Marketing, will expand Thermore’s apparel partnerships and support the integration of technology.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The findings, from 1,592 U.S. citizens of different ages, sexes, races and incomes, were collected between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
-
On his first day in office, Mr. Trump signed an executive order that declared the federal government would recognize only two immutable sexes: male and female.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Shamar Elkins, 31, who served in the Louisiana Army National Guard, visited the local Veterans Affairs hospital for a mental health evaluation, stayed there for a week and a half and was released, said Crystal Brown-Page, a cousin of Elkins's brother-in-law, Troy Brown.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Thrust into an unexpected role as protector of his younger cousins, Jordan and his crew are pulled into a mythic ocean realm, setting sail aboard a legendary vessel known as the Sun Chaser.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The costars forged a close kinship.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The organization expanded its services to kinship care families in 2022.—
Libby Smith,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Article continues below Outside is a beachside terrace, plus access to a pool, playground, sauna, hot tub, an association gym, and a picnic zone.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The actual numbers are likely much higher because many incidents are never reported, the association acknowledges.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relation. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
