ASSOCIATE Synonyms: 233 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

associate 1 of 3

verb

ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt

Definition of associate next

as in to travel

to come or be together as friends a socially ambitious couple who joined the country club in order to associate with the right sort of people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to combine

to come together to form a single unit the elements hydrogen and oxygen associate to form molecules of water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cooperate

to form or enter into an association that furthers the interests of its members nations deciding to associate in order to remove trade barriers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

ə-ˈsō-shē-ət

as in colleague

a person frequently seen in the company of another a number of his associates were members of organized crime, so he was a person of interest to the FBI

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in partner

a fellow worker my associates at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

associate

3 of 3

adjective

as in auxiliary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

That can add up quickly, so what are the risks associated with too much sugar in the body? —

Angela Altomare, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2025 Lung conditions associated with clubbed fingernails include: Lung cancer: About 80% of secondary cases are triggered by lung cancer. —

Mark Gurarie, Health, 14 Feb. 2025

Noun

Campus is a new online community college that offers students the chance to take classes from faculty at top colleges like Stanford and Princeton, and earn an associates degree in business administration. —

Emma Whitford, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2025 Steve Davis, 45 Davis is a longtime Musk associate who previously worked for the tech billionaire at SpaceX, the Boring Company and X. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Parker was associate dean for Global One Health at Texas A&M University and was head of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) under the Biden administration. —

Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025 The goal is to help people use more information than just lumping everything into an ultra-processed category, study co-author Michael Sebek, PhD, an associate research scientist at Northeastern University, told Health. —

Korin Miller, Health, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for associate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate

Verb

That includes parents who want some time to themselves or guests traveling without kids.

— Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
The fire truck was traveling north on South Congress Avenue and trying to make a left turn.

— David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2025

Definition of travel

Cite this Entry

Style

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 20 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

jabberwocky

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of associate

verb

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Thesaurus Entries Near associate

Cite this Entry