ASSOCIATE Synonyms: 233 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

associate 1 of 3

verb

ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt

Definition of associate next

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

as in to identify

to think of (something) in combination she still associates Memorial Day with her long-ago fiancé, who died in Vietnam

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to combine

to come together to form a single unit the elements hydrogen and oxygen associate to form molecules of water

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to mix

to take part in social activities you should try to associate with people your own age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

associate

2 of 3

noun

ə-ˈsō-shē-ət

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

as in partner

a fellow worker my associates at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

associate

3 of 3

adjective

as in auxiliary

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Top 10 things to eat at Disneyland this Christmas season Make sure to sign in on the Disneyland Holiday Ticket website using the email associated with your Disney+ subscription — which may be different from the email associated with your Disneyland account. —

Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 12 Nov. 2024 Small differences that are of questionable statistical significance can be massively meaningful to plan ratings — and the payments associated with those ratings. —

Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Noun

The company has about 475,000 employees, known as associates, at about 2,300 stores, Marcus was a major contributor to the US Republican Party and to former President Donald Trump in particular. —

Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024 Before co-founding Merman in 2014 Mountford produced projects for Sky Arts and was previously head of comedy at RDF and head of radio/script associate at TalkbackThames. —

K.j. Yossman, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Associate Editor Verity Burns is an associate editor at WIRED writing, commissioning, and editing for the Gear section in the UK. —

Condé Nast, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2024 Shawn Levy, who executive produces and directs Stranger Things, and Dan Cohen of Levy’s company 21 Laps serve as associate producers on the play. —

Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for associate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate

Verb

Police said the man was crossing Rose Street and was struck by a vehicle driven by a 79-year-old Berkeley woman woman that was traveling eastbound on Rose Street.

Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
All trucks that travel California roads must be fully transitioned to clean technology by 2045.

Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024

Definition of travel

Cite this Entry

Style

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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Last Updated: 20 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of associate

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noun

adjective

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