associate 1 of 3

1
2
as in to identify
to think of (something) in combination she still associates Memorial Day with her long-ago fiancé, who died in Vietnam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
as in to mix
to take part in social activities you should try to associate with people your own age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

associate

2 of 3

noun

associate

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb associate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of associate are combine, connect, join, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," 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 would combine be a good substitute for associate?

The words combine and associate can be used in similar contexts, but combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When is connect a more appropriate choice than associate?

While the synonyms connect and associate are close in meaning, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

Where would join be a reasonable alternative to associate?

In some situations, the words join and associate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 associate?

Although the words link and associate have much in common, link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

When can relate be used instead of associate?

The meanings of relate and associate largely overlap; however, relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

In what contexts can unite take the place of associate?

While in some cases nearly identical to associate, 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 associate
Verb
Because my instinct was to run away and not be associated with this thing. H. Alan Scott, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 Scroll down for a complete list of articles associated with this month’s challenge. Matthew Stock, JSTOR Daily, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
Senior female associates now earn more in total cash compensation than their male counterparts, and carried interest is nearly balanced at junior levels. Geri Stengel, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 By then, three other suspects in that crew had already been arrested: Clementa Johnson, his cousin, Vernon Green, and another associate, Diori Barnard. Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Harding Bush, the associate director for Global Rescue, says at a minimum people going on spring break should consider a policy with a medical evacuation and supplemental medevac protection. Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 Ned Murray, associate director of the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University, first assessed Broward’s affordable housing crisis in 2018. Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for associate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate
Verb
  • Until an hour or so prior, Messi’s presence on the traveling roster was uncertain, with the Argentine not having played in the club’s previous three matches.
    Pablo Maurer, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The difference is, these changes tended to be customizations that still showed off the brand as a point of pride, whereas what drivers across the U.S. have noticed for the better part of a year now are Teslas traveling incognito, under a different corporate banner.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • During the investigation, Sullivan was identified as a suspect, and an arrest warrant was issued for her on Tuesday.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • He was identified as a primary suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot three times by a masked gunman outside of a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Rather, people combine the products, techniques, and strategies that work for them.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
  • But his prematurely craggy voice and melodies, combined with arrangement rooted in string bands, were nothing like the soft-rock dudes on the radio; if anything, Hurley was acid folk.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Police said Patterson remained at the scene and cooperated with responding officers.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Thomson told Newsweek the move send a message to Governor Gavin Newsom that Oroville strongly opposes laws that limit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agencies.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Position the bed in an area that receives lots of sunshine and mix a well-draining rocky or gritty soil blend by combining equal parts potting soil and coarse sand or fine gravel.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Its Yappy Hour menu includes $10 specialty cocktails such as the Rescue Dog Sangria and the Good Boy, which mixes vodka, cold brew coffee, peanut butter whiskey, espresso and brown sugar.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In this mostly fictional version, the reclusive Omara has to decide whether or not to come back from retirement and record with her old colleagues from the fervent Cuban years, thus confronting those ghosts.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • So, to understand if and how menstrual bleeding affects the odds of experiencing fatigue in perimenopause, Harlow and her colleagues evaluated the health data of 2,329 people between the ages of 42 and 52.
    Julia Ries, Health, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Good partners are far more valuable than any great business opportunity.
    Dr. Eric George, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • At each of the facilities, experienced volunteer health care professionals provide services in a caring environment and partner with laboratories, diagnostic centers, hospitals and treatment centers to connect patients with low-cost options for those additional types of services.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • From automating repetitive tactics to enhancing predictive analytics, AI is not just an auxiliary tool.
    Vamsi Gosu, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The plan includes the construction of a 10,000-square-foot auxiliary hanger plus two additional maintenance hangers.
    Laura Kinsler, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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