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 Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2025 Some 2,500 miles across the country — on the southwest coast of California — a 22-year-old college athlete could relate. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025 There will be new storylines in Season 3 that don’t relate at all to anything in Season 2. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025 Many fellow Redditors could relate and applauded the man for braving through the pain to create long-lasting family memories. Danielle Jennings, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate
Verb
  • After this, everyone met in the paddock, were instructors and participants brought the three horses, Lulu, Churro, and Warrior, to groom them and start bonding with them, by taking the time to understand each other.
    Maïna Durafour, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
  • That is also the ideal time-frame to bond with new owners.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The former Today host described how the aftermath of her diagnosis sparked a new wave of courage.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss.
    Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As previously reported, the release of the files pertaining to the death of Kennedy — who was fatally shot during a Dallas motorcade in November 1963 — was teased during Trump's first term, before former President Joe Biden took limited action by releasing some.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to his order pertaining to trans student athletes, Trump signed an order proclaiming that the government will recognize only two unchangeable sexes.
    Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Economic models attempting to forecast the current quarter of GDP growth were developed to address the challenges associated with consensus estimates.
    Bill Stone, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Here are 5 ways to store and organize recipe cards along with three ways to preserve their handwriting and the fond memories associated.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And then there’s that — art history, her forebears, with whom these paintings are communing.
    Adam Moss, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The premise of The Message would appear to be even more callous: this ragtag trio roam the countryside with a little girl who can commune with animals, alive or dead.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • National Border Patrol Council Vice President Hector Garza told Fox News Digital that these videos on TikTok and other social media outlets are nothing new, but feels that the Trump administration is taking the videos seriously and actively working to secure the border.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • People close to the situation have told The Times’ Jack Harris that Betts had the norovirus.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The deadline to apply for SBA low-interest loans is also Monday.
    Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The same applied to fellow coach Jennifer Hudson, who competed on Idol in 2004 before joining The Voice panel on seasons 13 and 15.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But women can reduce the risk of online abuse by removing personal data from the internet: Searching their name on Google and identifying which sites have their personal data.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The search resumed Sunday morning, and police said that the child’s body was found about 11:50 a.m. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the body and perform an autopsy.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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