relate

1
as in to bond
to form a close personal relationship she and I relate so well it's almost like we're siblings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in to pertain
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 to associate
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb relate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of relate are associate, combine, connect, join, link, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When can associate be used instead of relate?

The synonyms associate and relate are sometimes interchangeable, but associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

When is combine a more appropriate choice than relate?

In some situations, the words combine and relate are roughly equivalent. However, combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When could connect be used to replace relate?

Although the words connect and relate have much in common, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

When is it sensible to use join instead of relate?

While in some cases nearly identical to relate, join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

When might link be a better fit than relate?

The words link and relate can be used in similar contexts, but link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

When would unite be a good substitute for relate?

The words unite and relate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

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 relate Overall, the study shows how age and age-related disease can become decoupled. Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025 The stakes are relatively low, and the childhood wonder may not work for more cynical adult viewers, but Skeleton Crew is a solid example of Star Wars' unlimited potential to tell all kinds of stories without having to relate everything back to the Skywalker Saga. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025 Adams related an anecdote of a lunch program where a senior leader takes an intern out, and an instance where a manager was kept waiting by a successful intern who had just signed on to convert to full-time. Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025 Most people are not golf-related. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate
Verb
  • Seasoning refers to the layer of polymerized fat bonded to the surface of a cast-iron pan.
    Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Oct. 2025
  • And then instantly there was an audience who bonded to it too.
    Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan used another adjective to describe Dowdle’s running style.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Police described Taylor as a Black male who is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The case had a historic impact on issues pertaining to racial divisions and domestic violence in American culture.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The report comes after additional rules from the UK’s Online Safety Act pertaining to child safety went into effect in late July.
    Ana Nicolaci da Costa, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rx Kids was also associated with a reduction in neonatal intensive care admissions, down 29% or 68 fewer admissions during the study period, another report found.
    Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • But the high-profile nature of the awards and the eye-popping figures associated with them are pushing board-level compensation committees that negotiate CEO pay to prepare for conversations about similar packages.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Both sonnets offer the captive—and Cervantes—an opportunity to commemorate and mourn, to bear witness and to commune with the dead, at least for a bit.
    Ed Simon September 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The universally accessible All Persons Trail at Broadmoor winds through a hemlock forest to a boardwalk, where hikers may commune with wildlife on Pike’s Pond.
    Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Another told Feltner to call a township trustee.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Caroline Ervin, landscape designer and owner of The Georgetown Garden Shop, told shrubs that produce berries in the fall are especially valuable during migration season, offering essential nutrition to birds in need of high-fat, energy-rich foods.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There are, nonetheless, lessons that could apply to businesses and policymakers anywhere.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Water plants thoroughly and apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch, leaving a small ring around the trunk free of mulch.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Salmon said his counselor suggested his attraction to men was his father’s fault because his job kept him away from home a lot, causing Salmon to identify more with his mother.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • But that changed, and the case took a turn after two denizens of Nashville's street scene were identified as suspects.
    Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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