RELATE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

relate

verb

ri-ˈlāt

Definition of relate

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

as in to describe

to give an oral or written account of in some detail we asked our uncle to relate the story of his visit to communist Russia many years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 Earlier this month, the administration suspended activities for 21 fraternities amid reports of assault, hazing and drug- and alcohol-related behavior. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 To be sure, the question asking voters to name their top concerns lists several economy- and cost-related topics separately, subdividing an issue that might otherwise rank higher if lumped into a single category. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 As of late Thursday, no law enforcement agency has indicated the threats against Gossett Seidman and Moskowitz are related. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Castillo said that homicide investigators are trying to find out what happened and how the pair are related, but the incident seemed domestic in nature. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate

Verb

Electrons can then leak out of the chain, bonding with oxygen in the wrong parts of the mitochondria to form highly reactive free radicals that attack and deform neighboring molecules.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Moore said there are no planned team-bonding events to tour Paris or any other area.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of bond

Verb

Companies that describe their services as sovereign without being clear about those dependencies risk accusations of sovereignty-washing.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Some puzzlers describe solving the crossword as a workout; for me, today’s was a knock-down, drag-out fistfight.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of describe

Verb

While that news pertains to an individual’s potential tax bill, Meta’s quarterly report shows just how low the company’s tax bill might be.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
As the noise around college football continues to get louder pertaining to what is transpiring at Texas right now for Steve Sarkisian.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of pertain

Verb

Of the 200 records the county staff reviewed, 112 were associated with people whose registrations are canceled or inactive.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
Circana’s 2026 research on nostalgia in retail found that younger consumers are embracing products from their own childhoods alongside vintage items associated with earlier generations.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of associate

Verb

But that’s preferable to the movie’s swerve into saccharine grief therapy, as Jay starts communing with Mitt once the dead dad and the whale become a single soul.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
For well-heeled, globe-trotting diners, Noma offered an escape from modernity and the sensation of communing with something more elemental and earthbound.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of commune

Verb

Lamm told TechCrunch that conventional breeding can produce dogs with poor eyesight or genetic predispositions to cancer.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Beirut City Pop, the latest compilation by archival label Habibi Funk, tells the story of the artists who dared to imagine a life beyond war.

— Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of tell

Verb

New safety requirements apply What sets the aircraft apart is its enhanced angle-of-attack system, which Boeing plans to introduce across the 737 MAX family.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
The boy was a soccer player who was enchanted by the idea of camping in the woods; Charlotte was bright and cheery, sometimes applying glitter to her father’s mustache.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of apply

Verb

Under Sorrells, morale at the office is bleak and has resulted in an exodus, according to two veteran prosecutors who left the office and spoke on the condition they not be identified.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
About 42% of residents surveyed identified mental health as a top health challenge, and Gaston’s suicide rate also exceeds the state average.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of identify

Browse Nearby Words

relatable

relate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of relate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes