RELATES Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

relates

verb

present tense third-person singular of relate

as in communes

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 describes

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 pertains

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 associates

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

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 relates His interview with O’Donnell relates his story—a faulty parachute, a tough crash, a long bloody hike, and survival until he was rescued by an American plane—in a genuinely moving way. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Most of the funding gap relates specifically to weapons purchases, Zelensky said, and future financing for Ukraine could come in the form of deals for sharing technology and joint drone production. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 And then Mowbray relates some personal evidence of what has not changed — Middlesbrough’s attachment to football. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Musk’s father, Errol Musk, is interviewed in the film and relates a telling incident in which the family drove by the scene of a man who was being resuscitated by the side of the road. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 Because the girl relates well to you, continue to fill that role. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026 Some of the bill’s language relates directly to e-bikes, specifically to those making and selling the devices, while other sections of the bill address speeds for everyone using bike paths, multiuse trails and sidewalks. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Each and every item relates in some way to the novel’s storyline, yet miraculously, many of the objects were sourced before the book was even written. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026 The Bible relates the remarkable transformation of Saul of Tarsus – at one time a violent persecutor of Christians – who became a powerful teacher-by-example of love and peace. — Margaret Rogers, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relates

Verb

In one sequence, Jay bonds with a wayward jellyfish — much like Tom Hanks with his volleyball, Wilson, in Castaway.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
The young man who bonds with the ghost of his a–hole father while trapped in a gooey cushion of whale intestines stays with the ghost of his a–hole father.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bonds

Verb

And now, the newest update about Hilton’s situation pertains to his finances.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
The document, which largely pertains to the district’s use of school resource officers, states that Flock cameras will be on campus for at least two years and were installed at no cost to the school district.

— Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of pertains

Verb

Innova also associates afternoon snacking specifically with satisfaction, while other dayparts lean toward refreshment or indulgence.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
The Shiji associates Sun Tzu with Wu’s campaigns against its powerful rival Chu, including the campaign that culminated in the capture of the Chu capital, Ying, in 506 bce.

— Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of associates

Verb

For the collection, the mill applies a special cleaning process to cotton that removes 80 percent of impurities.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
The California Department of Education clarified that a waiver the district received only applies to the 80% staffing rule and does not extend the three-year spending deadline, meaning unexpended funds revert to the state.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of applies

Verb

The Draghi report on European competitiveness identifies productivity as the primary cause.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The directory identifies each group's mission, ideology, organizational role and documented protest activity, distinguishing direct organizers and participants from supporters and amplifiers.

— Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of identifies

Verb

Sliding behind the wheel of a side-by-side utility vehicle, Shoffner takes off across the property and recounts her life story that led her away from the farm, into nonprofit work and back home when her dad got sick.

— Stephen Fowler, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Another document recounts an unusual sighting in Saudi Arabia in 1957.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026