1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

relationship

noun

ri-ˈlā-shən-ˌship How to pronounce relationship (audio)
Definition of relationshipnext
1
as in kinship
the fact or state of having something in common studied the relationship between the phases of the moon and ocean tides

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in partnership
the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters) the street's shopkeepers have a good business relationship

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 relationship Living in that relationship for the past 64 years, it’s layered. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026 Unlike American states, Canadian provinces are allowed to hold referenda on their relationship to the union; Quebec has done so twice, both times choosing the status quo. — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026 Perhaps this is where my relationship with magical realism begins. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 Both companies remain fully committed to the successful releases of Ray Gunn and the untitled Jack and the Beanstalk project on Netflix, and additionally will continue their longstanding content licensing relationship. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relationship
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relationship
  1. kinship
  2. partnership
  3. connection
  4. collaboration
  5. association
  6. cooperation
  7. correlation
  8. affiliation
Noun
  • Stolen and enslaved Indigenous people formed new networks of kinship; learned new skills and languages; retained memories of family, kin, and rituals; and, through it all, continually plotted to return home.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Carrington in particular models what some have termed an ecofeminist approach, one that does not appropriate animals for the artist’s own self-revelation but instead develops kinship across species.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of kinship
Noun
  • Venus in your partnership zone forms an awkward connection to Uranus in your finance sector, making differences around spending, security, or priorities harder to ignore.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The Sagittarius Moon trines Chiron in your partnership zone, softening the instinct to package every feeling so perfectly that nobody could possibly object.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of partnership
Noun
  • The programs are also part of a broader strategy for VIFF’s Institute for the Moving Image, which aims to eventually extend the festival’s support for filmmakers seeking funding and industry connections to year-round.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Tariffs imposed on Canadian imports now extend to hockey equipment, potentially increasing the cost of playing the very sport that perhaps best symbolizes the cultural connection between the two countries.
    — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of connection
Noun
  • The Elf Experience will offer a range of merchandise, such as apparel, accessories, toys, treats and artist collaborations.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The sculpture came about through a collaboration between the Sigg Art Foundation, Pantheon Art, and Fonderia Artistica Battaglia in Milan.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of collaboration
Noun
  • Professional players associations do far more than bargain against leagues.
    — Chris Corr, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Homeowners associations are known for rules about paint colors, fences and keeping the lawn trimmed.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of association
Noun
  • The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team's efforts to get information.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The party has always ruled out any cooperation with the far-right — refusing to consider entering into a coalition government with the AfD or using votes from its lawmakers to get legislation passed.
    — Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of cooperation
Noun
  • Because there is a correlation between the price of Brent crude futures and Polymarket’s rating of the Democratic Party’s chances, according to Deutsche Bank.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
  • That’s also a really good question, and there definitely is a correlation there.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of correlation
Noun
  • Lee Ann Rawlins Williams does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
    — Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Opponents outnumbered supporters across races, gender, age ranges and political affiliation, according to the Elon poll.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of affiliation

Browse Nearby Words

relations
relationship
relationships
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relationship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relationship. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nemesis

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All