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
Smith indicted Trump in 2023 on four felony charges related to his post-election activities, though the case never went to trial, as Trump was successfully able to delay it for months while the Supreme Court weighed in on whether the ex-president had immunity from criminal charges.
—
Alison Durkee, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Consider seeing a psychiatrist or licensed mental health professional to find out if an underlying condition is related to your RSD.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025
Sources close to Hamas report that approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners are set to be freed as part of an initial agreement in ongoing negotiations related to Gaza, AFP has reported.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Last week, the Justice Department said Mr. Garland planned to hold off on issuing the volume about the classified documents case until all legal proceedings related to Mr. Trump’s two co-defendants were completed.
—Alan Feuer, New York Times, 14 Jan. 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.
Alison Durkee, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Consider seeing a psychiatrist or licensed mental health professional to find out if an underlying condition is related to your RSD.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025
Sources close to Hamas report that approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners are set to be freed as part of an initial agreement in ongoing negotiations related to Gaza, AFP has reported.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Last week, the Justice Department said Mr. Garland planned to hold off on issuing the volume about the classified documents case until all legal proceedings related to Mr. Trump’s two co-defendants were completed.
—Alan Feuer, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for relate to
Dictionary Entries Near relate to
Cite this Entry
“Relate to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relate%20to. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share