associate 1 of 3

verb

ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce associate (audio)
Definition of associatenext
1
as in to travel
to come or be together as friends a socially ambitious couple who joined the country club in order to associate with the right sort of people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to identify
to think of (something) in combination she still associates Memorial Day with her long-ago fiancé, who died in Vietnam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to combine
to come together to form a single unit the elements hydrogen and oxygen associate to form molecules of water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to cooperate
to form or enter into an association that furthers the interests of its members nations deciding to associate in order to remove trade barriers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to mix
to take part in social activities you should try to associate with people your own age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

associate

2 of 3

noun

ə-ˈsō-shē-ət How to pronounce associate (audio)
1
as in colleague
a person frequently seen in the company of another a number of his associates were members of organized crime, so he was a person of interest to the FBI

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in partner
a fellow worker my associates at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

associate

3 of 3

adjective

as in auxiliary

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb associate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of associate are combine, connect, join, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," 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 would combine be a good substitute for associate?

The words combine and associate can be used in similar contexts, but combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When is connect a more appropriate choice than associate?

While the synonyms connect and associate are close in meaning, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

Where would join be a reasonable alternative to associate?

In some situations, the words join and associate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 associate?

Although the words link and associate have much in common, link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

When can relate be used instead of associate?

The meanings of relate and associate largely overlap; however, relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

In what contexts can unite take the place of associate?

While in some cases nearly identical to associate, 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 associate
Verb
High-speed, one-way corridors are associated with more severe crashes. —Tim Giuliani, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026 Without daily medication, Nany Guthrie is at risk due to her health issues, and the first deadline associated with a ransom note has passed. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Epstein’s close associates go uncharged In 2019, prosecutors weighed the possibility of charging one of Epstein’s longtime assistants but decided against it. —Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026 Lister joined Pope Design Group in 2017 as a project manager and architect and became the firm’s director of education and an associate in 2024. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026 Both renters and homeowners could get something out of the law, said Alexander Miles, associate director of state and local policy for the Southeast at Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit that works to increase housing supply and quality. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for associate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate
  1. travel
  2. identify
  3. combine
  4. cooperate
  5. mix
  6. colleague
  7. auxiliary
  8. connect
Verb
  • As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Epstein frequently traveled there, according to DOJ documents, and Barrack was involved in multiple real estate deals involving Middle Eastern governments.
    — Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of travel
Verb
  • Models require extensive training to enable them to identify everyday objects to interact with, which means that simple tasks like picking up fruit can be challenging in robotics.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Only one body was identified by a family, while the others were buried on Friday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of identify
Verb
  • To extract these materials, the team designed a three-stage process that combines physical, chemical, and biological techniques.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Experts recommend snacks that combine protein, fiber and healthy fats, helping glucose stay within a narrow, steady range for hours.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of combine
Verb
  • In July 2024, Wall Township Public Schools acknowledged the charges and said the district was fully cooperating with law enforcement.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Decades later, Faraci cooperated with Modrowski’s lawyer during the post-conviction proceedings and submitted two affidavits in 2019 and 2011 denying Modrowski was involved, court records show.
    — Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of cooperate
Verb
  • The residue contained human feces mixed with thyme and olive oil.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Fans used to agree, complaining when the show would keep mixing former and first-time players, or bemoaning the same faces playing over and over again.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of mix
Noun
  • Democratic governors plan to boycott a White House dinner after two of their colleagues were excluded.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The 36 questions, actually developed many years prior as an experimental research tool by Arthur Aron and colleagues, are designed to accelerate close connection between two people.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of colleague
Adjective
  • At this stage of his career, Hicks will have been part of many ceremonies; ordination as a deacon and then a priest, consecration as an auxiliary bishop and installation as bishop in Joliet, Illinois.
    — Tony Aiello, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Bell-Johnson’s first trial was held in Tarrant County’s auxiliary court known as the In Custody Court.
    — Emerson Clarridge Updated February 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of auxiliary
Verb
  • The association also has nurse practitioners, who can prescribe medications, and case workers who connect families to other social services.
    — Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
  • But if Amazon is using artificial intelligence to autonomously connect a network of cameras to locate a lost dog, what barriers are in place to prevent them from surveilling humans without their knowledge?
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of connect

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on associate

Nglish: Translation of associate for Spanish Speakers

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