Synonyms of relation

relation

noun

ri-ˈlā-shən 

1

as in interaction

relations plural doings between individuals or groups

relations between the rival newspapers remained friendly despite their competition for the same stories

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interaction
• intercourse
• dealings
• commerce
• interrelationship
• companionship
• company
• cross-fertilization
• cross-pollination

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonintercourse

2

as in relative

a person connected with another by blood or marriage

he and I are relations on my mother's side

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relative
• cousin
• family
• kin
• kinsman
• in-law
• folk
• house
• people
• race
• lineage
• tribe
• blood
• clan
• stock
• kissing cousin
• kindred
• line
• kinswoman
• kinsfolk
• kinfolk
• kinfolks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonrelative

3

as in relationship

the fact or state of having something in common

there's no relation between you losing your favorite baseball hat and your team losing the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relationship
• kinship
• connection
• association
• correlation
• linkage
• affinity
• bearing
• link
• liaison
• similarity
• resemblance
• interrelation
• relevance
• bond
• tie
• pertinence
• affiliation
• union
• materiality
• accordance
• alliance
• agreement
• correspondence
• likeness
• identicalness
• conformity
• sameness
• community
• alikeness
• congruity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• variance
• variability
• incompatibility
• incongruity
• incongruence
• incongruousness

4

as in partnership

the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters)

our intramural baseball team had a relation with the other baseball teams in the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relationship
• partnership
• association
• collaboration
• connection
• cooperation
• affiliation
• interaction
• union
• liaison
• alliance
• dealings
• merger
• confederation
• solidarity
• kinship
• integration
• interrelation
• exchange
• hookup
• interconnection
• reciprocity
• tie-up
• unification
• linkup
• incorporation
• unity
• symbiosis
• intimacy
• affinity
• sympathy
• attachment
• rapport
• business
• oneness
• mutualism
• companionship
• closeness
• company
• togetherness
• bed
• league
• fellowship
• colleagueship
• cahoots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dissociation
• dissolution
• separation
• division
• breakup
• split
• severance
• disaffiliation
• divorce
• alienation
• parting
• disunion
• estrangement

5

as in sex

relations plural sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis

a law that prohibits relations between close relatives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sex
• intercourse
• coupling
• mating
• commerce
• sex act
• sexual relations
• copulation
• making love
• sexual intercourse
• coitus
• coition
• getting it on
• lovemaking
• copulating
• sexuality
• congress
• breeding
• fornication
• safe sex
• carnality
• insemination
• dalliance
• hanky-panky
• whoopee

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relation

The Federalists wanted strong national government as well as harmonious diplomatic and trade relations with Great Britain. —Daniel Tichenor, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025

Despite the turbulent past of the Reformation and King Henry VIII’s break with Rome almost 500 years ago, relations between the Vatican and the British monarchy are today marked by warmth and mutual respect. —Max Foster, Christopher Lamb and Billy Stockwell, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025

Anthony McCarthy, a fixture in the Baltimore region for over three decades and renowned for his distinguished career in public policy and media relations, died early Sunday morning at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown after a long battle with kidney disease. —Gary Collins, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025

Ukrainian and American delegations met in Jeddah on March 11 to discuss a pathway to peace and reset rapidly worsening diplomatic relations. —Katya Soldak, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025