attach

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2
3
as in to confiscate
to take ownership or control of (something) by right of one's authority attached the house for nonpayment of property taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word attach distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of attach are affix, fasten, and fix. While all these words mean "to make something stay firmly in place," attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

When could affix be used to replace attach?

The words affix and attach can be used in similar contexts, but affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

Where would fasten be a reasonable alternative to attach?

In some situations, the words fasten and attach are roughly equivalent. However, fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

When is it sensible to use fix instead of attach?

The synonyms fix and attach are sometimes interchangeable, but fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

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 attach Despite some strings being attached, a loan between family members can still benefit the borrower, especially if the person does not have good credit, since a relative is not going to be running a credit or background check, Schnusenberg said. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025 This wallet can attach to iPhones 12 and up or devices in MagSafe-compatible cases. Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 27 Jan. 2025 Lionsgate announced the biopic in February 2022, at which time the estate already signed off and Logan was already attached as screenwriter with King as a co-producer. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025 Some of the cables he’s found are as thick as a pinky finger and, when attached to the right tree, are strong enough to anchor an elephant calf. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for attach 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attach
Verb
  • Inuit people have taken advantage of the sebum’s properties, even affixing shoe-like patches of polar bear fur to the bottom of stools to prevent them from sticking to the ice.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The property belongs to predator-like creep Sergey (Rupert Friend, channeling the guy any woman should avoid at a party), who is not well-acquainted with the buttons affixed to his very open shirt.
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Among them are almost a dozen current and former F.B.I. employees, including the outgoing director, Christopher Wray, who was originally appointed by Trump.
    Tess Owen, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Schiavo said the change in administration this month, with President Donald Trump appointing new transportation and defense secretaries, should not impact the investigation.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • His service items, including his badge and firearm, were also confiscated.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
  • We were interrogated, the contents of our suitcase was kind of picked through and things were confiscated.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Trump has nominated Kimberly Guilfoyle as the ambassador to Greece, former Sen. David Perdue to China, former Gov. Mike Huckabee to Israel, Warren Stephens to the United Kingdom, and Charles Kushner to France.
    Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Warren has been nominated for sixteen Academy Awards for her songs written for films.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Congress first assigned aircraft accident investigations to the Commerce Department in 1926.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Sometime before an American Airlines flight crashed into an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, an air traffic controller was assigned both duties by their supervisor, the New York Times reported, citing a source briefed on staffing and an internal preliminary FAA safety report.
    Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The fact is not a lot has been going on lately publicly in the legal duels between CAA and the agency’s ex-staffers over at Range Media Partners over equity, competition and the shifting line of what may or may not constitute being an agent, until Monday – when all Hell broke loose.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Before even taking office, Trump, in an effort to buoy dollar supremacy, targeted the BRICS nations (which constitute more than 40 percent of the world’s population) with currency tariffs.
    Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Biden administration first designated Venezuela for Temporary Protection in March 2021, a decision that was widely celebrated in South Florida.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
  • With a location that is not far from the Palisades, Malibu Beach Inn has designated a number of rooms for relief and recovery efforts.
    Michelle Baran, AFAR Media, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Trump today named Christopher Rocheleau as acting commissioner of the agency.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Warner Chappell Publishing was a frequent winner at the annual BMI, ASCAP and SESAC Awards in Nashville, with the subsidiary Warner-Tamerlane Publishing being named publisher of the year at the most recent BMI Country Awards in November, with Vaughn in attendance for the honors.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near attach

Cite this Entry

“Attach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attach. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attach

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