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 It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount. —Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 23 July 2025 It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 22 July 2025 The death is unrelated to a recent die-off of prairie dogs in the area, which may also be plague-related. —Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025 Among them, 42% of reported drowning deaths were vehicle related. —Bethany Blankley, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 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
  • Jackson bonded with Ballard as both of them grew up in the Atlanta area.
    — Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
  • Sharpe bonded with the character, Felix, in Dunham’s scripts and worked with Felber to write his character’s songs on the show.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Definition of bond
Verb
  • The Grand Canyon has never been adequately described in words or music notes.
    — Tom Zoellner, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • Status Indian is the Canadian term used to describe those still governed under the Indian Act of 1876.
    — Tanya Talaga July 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Definition of describe
Verb
  • After more than two years in the dark, court files pertaining to Dallas Barrett’s 2021 death at Whiskey Row bar in downtown Nashville have been made public.
    — Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 13 July 2025
  • At the time, Kemosabe Records controlled the promotion, budgets, release, and other factors pertaining to her catalog, which included her first five studio albums from 2010’s Animal through 2023’s Gag Order.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2025
Definition of pertain
Verb
  • Showers and thunderstorms associated with a small area of low pressure located about 900 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles have increased some during the past several hours.
    — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
  • That's in addition to the payments the city still has to make to pay off debt associated with the arena.
    — John Tuohy, IndyStar, 22 July 2025
Definition of associate
Verb
  • Dancers create choreography in step with the ocean communing with the environment.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
  • Volunteer to water trees The Carmel-Clay Parks and Recreation Department gives children a chance to get their hands wet while communing with nature.
    — John Tuohy, IndyStar, 30 Apr. 2025
Definition of commune
Verb
  • The film tells the powerful true story of a blind Native American man who helped save lives during the Oklahoma City bombing.
    — Okla Jones, Essence, 26 July 2025
  • Popular jewelry designer Kendra Scott plans to marry Zac Brown, Scott told People.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 26 July 2025
Definition of tell
Verb
  • In 2019, some homeowners mounted a campaign to rescind a designation applied to a triangle of blocks bounded by Dade Boulevard, Meridian Avenue, 17th Street and Lenox Court.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
  • Heat can cause their frames and lenses to weaken and warp, and degrade any coatings applied to your lenses.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
Definition of apply
Verb
  • Milwaukee police officers obtained video footage from local businesses, enabling them to identify the vehicle as a 2025 Ford Explorer.
    — Jessica Van Egeren, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food.
    — Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.

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