1
as in interaction
relations plural
doings between individuals or groups
relations between the rival newspapers remained friendly despite their competition for the same stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in relationship
the fact or state of having something in common
there's no relation between you losing your favorite baseball hat and your team losing the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in partnership
the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters)
our intramural baseball team had a relation with the other baseball teams in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sex
relations plural
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis
a law that prohibits relations between close relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relation
The apple picker is reaching to express something fundamental about our relation to the world and to work.
—
Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
The story is almost always told in relation to Washington’s role in a conflict, or its direct intervention in it, and at times the Cuban people seem to matter only when big capital moves in.
—Carlos Manuel Alvarez, Time, 24 Apr. 2026
For the film, Waters interviewed Stephen Colbert, director John Waters (no relation to Sasha Waters), and many poets who admire Oliver’s writing.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
Negron said the organizers looked carefully at the strained relations between the two countries and recent violence reports earlier this year in Puerto Vallarta, which is further south of the race’s finish line.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relation
Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
The story is almost always told in relation to Washington’s role in a conflict, or its direct intervention in it, and at times the Cuban people seem to matter only when big capital moves in.
—Carlos Manuel Alvarez, Time, 24 Apr. 2026
For the film, Waters interviewed Stephen Colbert, director John Waters (no relation to Sasha Waters), and many poets who admire Oliver’s writing.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
Negron said the organizers looked carefully at the strained relations between the two countries and recent violence reports earlier this year in Puerto Vallarta, which is further south of the race’s finish line.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relation
Noun
-
The eruptions – yours, the partner’s – suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The eruptions — yours, the partner’s — suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, anyone without relatives abroad who could send dollars was left at a disadvantage, which for many elderly people means surviving on the charity of neighbors.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Adams County Sheriff's Office said deputies initially responded April 4 to Bradley's home in Natchez, after her relatives reported her missing.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The information contained in this article reflects multiple conversations with various sources at the Spanish champions, all of whom wanted to speak anonymously to protect relationships.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Investors had cheered the talks and the prospect of change at a fiercely independent company that had relied on decades-old relationships.—
Edwin Chan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, for the next six years, Uranus will be opposite your sign affecting your closest partnerships.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Leonard’s deal with Aspiration occurred as Ballmer invested in the company and as the Clippers and Aspiration signed deals that contemplated a $300 million partnership for Aspiration to sponsor the Clippers’ arena and the team’s jersey patch.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The findings, from 1,592 U.S. citizens of different ages, sexes, races and incomes, were collected between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
-
On his first day in office, Mr. Trump signed an executive order that declared the federal government would recognize only two immutable sexes: male and female.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
That same year Cindy's cousin testified before the Florida Legislature about the Death Penalty Reform Act, which in part sought to speed up executions to be carried out within five years of an inmate's conviction.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The cousin and his wife were notified about his death.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
He was warmly welcomed in the chamber, and much of his speech focused on the kinship and history between the US and the UK.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Because at its core, this legal drama that revolves around artificial intelligence is actually rooted in the very human impulses of kinship, greed, betrayal, and power.—
Tom Dotan,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But its primary association in the public consciousness since the nineteen-eighties is with the criminal underworld, particularly the drug cartels.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
New research is suggesting a strong association between mouth bacteria and gastric cancer.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relation. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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