attach

verb

ə-ˈtach How to pronounce attach (audio)
Definition of attachnext
1
as in to affix
to cause (something) to hold to another you can attach the buttons to the puppet with fabric glue

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to appoint
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty attached the colonel to the new regiment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 Unlike an ordinary instruction that explicitly asks a robot to perform a harmful action, the trigger appeared as two seemingly unrelated letters attached to an otherwise normal request. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026 For fathers, working from home affects family routines, caregiving, mothers’ careers, mental health, retention and the silent career tax attached to visible care. — Gleb Tsipursky, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 Then match the oil to the problem rather than the celebrity attached to it. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026 For now, Burrell is attached as an exec producer; John Fox and John Davis are also non-writing executive producers. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attach
  1. affix
  2. appoint
  3. confiscate
  4. nominate
  5. assign
  6. constitute
  7. designate
  8. name
Verb
  • Under a rerouting plan, original power lines were moved north, erected next to existing infrastructure, or affixed with visual warning systems or bird diverters.
    — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Miami Hurricanes know the number that is affixed to their name.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of affix
Verb
  • He was appointed by Commissioner Richard Lara to serve on the city’s charter review committee and recently resigned from the city’s planning and zoning board to run for office.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Rooms Standard rooms are classic in look and feel with dark wood furniture and neutral fabrics, yet appointed with modern embellishments such as universal outlets and bedside light controls.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of appoint
Verb
  • Italian authorities had bolstered security forces in Milan with hundreds of military troops who conducted searches and confiscated baseball bats, fireworks and face masks from scores of protesters.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Arriving from Barcelona, the local landlord, however, confiscates Fagas’ America rifle, given to him by his father.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • Over the course of her long career, Curtis, 67, has developed a lengthy résumé in film and television, winning numerous accolades along the way, including an Oscar and an Emmy (she’s been nominated for a Grammy too — there’s still time for an EGOT).
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Sakharov winner is chosen by the European Parliament's president and top EU lawmakers from among candidates nominated by the parliament’s various political groups.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of nominate
Verb
  • Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the vaccine with pembrolizumab or placebo injections alongside the immune treatment.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Students were randomly assigned to the roles of guards or inmates, with the guards pressured to maintain order by any means necessary.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of assign
Verb
  • Ethan then sued Denims for copyright infringement, which was ironic, as Ethan’s reaction videos set much of the precedent for what constitutes fair use on commentary YouTube.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Today, whether social media – and its impact on young attention spans – will have a lasting impact on who constitutes this narrow reading class long-term is as yet unclear.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of constitute
Verb
  • The United States designates both critical minerals and critical materials, and there is some crossover between them.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Sotheby’s announced Thursday that the works, recently designated French national treasures, had been withdrawn following discussions between the Schlumberger family and the city of Aix-en-Provence, Cézanne’s hometown.
    — Daniel Cassady for ARTnews, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of designate
Verb
  • Moore was named the Cougars’ new head coach this past offseason, while Miller left his role as wide receivers coach at Boise State to become offensive coordinator in Pullman; both coaches played together at Boise State in the early 2010s.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Construction has already begun on the new district, named the Water Gardens, which will include two hotels and residential and office towers, and is set for completion before the end of 2028.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of name

Browse Nearby Words

at speed
attach
attaché
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Cite this Entry

“Attach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attach. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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