relate

verb

ri-ˈlāt How to pronounce relate (audio)
Definition of relatenext
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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 Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. —ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025 Engineering strength depends on an interpretive framework that relates forces, the size of an object and their ratio − which represents mechanical stress. —Zachary Del Rosario, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025 Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025 Duke has an institutional climate commitment too, efforts include having over 300 climate and sustainability related classes and $3.7 million awarded in seed grants for research on climate. —Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relate
  1. bond
  2. describe
  3. pertain
  4. associate
  5. commune
  6. tell
  7. apply
  8. identify
Verb
  • Shared physical activities like cooking, working out or running errands together can be bonding experiences and feel more natural than just texting or talking.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • But few scholars have explored another trend: The growing number of people who’ve found that bonding with their pets becomes a spiritual experience.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
Definition of bond
Verb
  • Marcos Lopez, sheriff of Osceola County, Fla., was jailed in nearby Lake County on suspicion of racketeering and conspiracy as part of what state authorities described as a probe into an expansive gambling operation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2025
  • Hatfield did not say whether San Diego Pride had changed Kehlani’s contract as Gloria described.
    — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Definition of describe
Verb
  • From adding a dynamic weapon like George Pickens into the fold to keeping the curtains up on what exactly the offense will look like under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Prescott delved into a variety of topics pertaining to the upcoming season.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2025
  • Zahn’s Garrity statement, pertaining to statements given under immunity during an internal investigation, was used in his prosecution.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Definition of pertain
Verb
  • Notably, the bitter sensitive alleles were also nominally associated with chronic kidney diseases and a range of markers of kidney health, including urinary proline betaine levels, glomerular filtration rate, serum non-albumin protein, and glucose levels 2 h after an oral glucose challenge.
    — Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 15 June 2025
  • Blossom-end rot can be closely associated with soil moisture that is too wet or too dry.
    — Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
Definition of associate
Verb
  • Those who like taking their SUV or truck out to the middle of nowhere to commune with nature and enjoy quality time with friends and family will appreciate the Howler Brothers theme.
    — Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Onset was settled as a summer camp for Spiritualists, down from Boston for cool bay breezes and the opportunity to commune with the spectral and the dead.
    — Dwyer Murphy May 16, Literary Hub, 16 May 2025
Definition of commune
Verb
  • Burt Reynolds told Business Insider in 2016 that, like Pacino, he was offered and turned down the part.
    — Mike Miller Published, EW.com, 7 June 2025
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of tell
Verb
  • If the individual is a non-resident, non-citizen of the U.S., the federal estate tax applies only to assets situated or deemed to be situated within the U.S. (for example, U.S. real property or stock in a U.S. corporation).
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • The reports indicate 20 people have applied with the city for up to $7,000 in emergency rental assistance for new apartments, and 16 have met the eligibility requirements.
    — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Definition of apply
Verb
  • In-depth market research helps identify expansion opportunities for brand identity and culture.
    — Geoff Whitmore, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • The human remains found in a ritzy Rhode Island beach town near pop icon Taylor Swift's mansion have been identified as police close the investigation.
    — Stepheny Price , Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
Definition of identify

Browse Nearby Words

relatable
relate
related
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relate. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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