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relate

Definition of relatenext
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 Legal and Regulatory Concerns Beyond platform- and institution-related delays, legal and regulatory expectations across countries can create additional issues. Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026 While those trends took off organically, TikTok has been investing in entertainment through features like TikTok Spotlight, which was developed for users to discover all kinds of film and television-related content. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026 Meanwhile, Hildebrandt was a family and couples counselor who founded ConneXions and had made a name for herself by relating the practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to her clients' issues. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026 Anheli considered the older couple her grandparents despite not being related. Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate
Verb
  • Coogan and Hays met in 2023 through their mutual friend, the extremely online health care start-up founder Will Manidis, and quickly bonded over their unadulterated love of capitalism.
    Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
  • That was really special to be able to bond on crafting the character.
    Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The only real attempt in this episode to describe the difficulty of Maia’s position as Tallulah’s manager comes from Maia’s chirpy co-worker (Lauren Holt, a treat every time).
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • During the week, Aluko had described lying in bed at the height of the controversy, depressed and unable to eat.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The scenario remains hypothetical, strongly dependent on both Stefanik winning the governorship and a determination of official misconduct or other grounds for removal pertaining to Mamdani’s actions as mayor.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The misdemeanor charge is for petty theft, pertaining to the removal of a campaign sign.
    Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This includes an examination of the kinds of brands and celebrities JOLLY looks to associate with, the best platforms to reach their audience and even the lengths of videos.
    Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • That means associating positive memories with new spaces.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Music’s future looks a whole lot less glorious in the South Bay with the Art Boutiki’s last gig on New Year’s Eve marking the loss of irreplaceable venue where jazz acts, rock bands and singer/songwriters have communed with listeners while audiences connected with each other.
    Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025
  • Even the film’s central idea of a child communing with giant, surreal automatons — such a eerily resonant image, recalling James Whale’s original Frankenstein — is ultimately a nonstarter.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Police added that Lattimore was arrested for not telling the officer there was a gun inside the vehicle when asked.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Federal prosecutors have launched a new criminal investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, after a grand jury previously declined to indict her twice on unrelated criminal charges, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
    Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.
    Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The two, a male and a female, were hospitalized with gunshot wounds after Portland police officers applied a tourniquet on scene.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Witnesses said a silver Ford sedan fled the scene, and detectives later identified the driver as 57-year-old Humberto Munoz Gatica of Laguna Niguel, according to The Register.
    Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The Tarrant County Medical Examiner will publicly identify the person who died.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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