relate to
phrasal verb
related to; relating to; relates to
1
: to connect (something) with (something else)
Few of the people who became sick related their symptoms to the food they'd eaten the day before.
2
: to understand and like or have sympathy for (someone or something)
I can relate to your feelings.
I've never been able to relate to him very well.
He writes songs that people can really relate to.
3
—used to describe how someone talks to or behaves toward (someone else)
How a child relates to her teacher can affect her education.
4
: to be connected with (someone or something) : to be about (someone or something)
The readings relate to the class discussions.
—often used as (be) related toThe exam questions are directly related to the readings.
Examples of relate to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective Sgt.
—
Jason Green, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Anyone with information or security camera footage related to the incident can report it to 911, the sheriff’s office announced in its update.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
Guests will comply with arena staff instructions related to arena operational and emergency procedures.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
In addition to handling the mortgage fraud probe against James, Siebert's office has also been involved in a criminal investigation of Comey related to the agency's past probes of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relate to
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.
Jason Green, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Anyone with information or security camera footage related to the incident can report it to 911, the sheriff’s office announced in its update.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
Guests will comply with arena staff instructions related to arena operational and emergency procedures.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
In addition to handling the mortgage fraud probe against James, Siebert's office has also been involved in a criminal investigation of Comey related to the agency's past probes of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relate to
Cite this Entry
“Relate to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relate%20to. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share