pertain

verb

pər-ˈtān How to pronounce pertain (audio)
Definition of pertainnext
1
as in to belong
to be the property of a person or group of persons the belief that quality medical care is a right that pertains to everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to relate
to have a relation or connection a person who is an expert in anything pertaining to the history of the American theater

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pertain Starting next month, the law will prohibit the sale of any food product that isn’t labeled with either phrase — this pertains to products manufactured on or after July 1, 2026. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 The arguments stem from a pretrial motion in which Judge Weeks directed that testimony be limited to only what pertains to the charge at hand, involving the retaliation against James Saulter. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 Venus in Cancer will approach a square to Chiron in Aries, adding a hard dose of emotional sensitivity or feelings of rejection, specifically when pertaining to relationships, finances and matters of the heart. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 The trail is made up of 16 panels at 10 sites in the Craven Terrace and Dryborough neighborhoods that tell the stories of historical events, people, and places that pertain to Black history in New Bern. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertain
  1. belong
  2. relate
  3. apply
  4. refer
Verb
  • As thousands sing, clap and chant together, attendees describe a feeling of bliss and belonging, a chance to step outside the pressures of work, studies and an increasingly competitive society.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • This nostalgic tradition, which calls for a bit of patience, belongs on every old-fashioned summer bucket list.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of belong
Verb
  • Fable 5 included guardrails that prevented the AI system from assisting with a wide range of cybersecurity- and biology-related tasks.
    — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 July 2026
  • Unlike genetic or age related decline, this cause is entirely preventable at any age.
    — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • Wiener asked for amendments to the bill during the bill’s review and in the committee meeting, including that the lifetime ban only be applied to Tier 3 members.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The ruling establishes the legal standard going forward and does not change the law that applied previously.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • Since 2021, the agency has referred 387 centers for investigation and a third of those were elevated to the Office of the Attorney General for law enforcement action, the spokesperson said.
    — Laura Geller, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • When reached at that number, Pitts referred NPR to a New York ICE office for comment, though NPR did not receive a response.
    — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026
Definition of refer

Phrases Containing pertain

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Cite this Entry

“Pertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertain. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pertain

Nglish: Translation of pertain for Spanish Speakers

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