associate 1 of 3

1
2
as in to identify
to think of (something) in combination she still associates Memorial Day with her long-ago fiancé, who died in Vietnam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
as in to mix
to take part in social activities you should try to associate with people your own age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

associate

2 of 3

noun

associate

3 of 3

adjective

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

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 associate
Verb
Because my instinct was to run away and not be associated with this thing. H. Alan Scott, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 Scroll down for a complete list of articles associated with this month’s challenge. Matthew Stock, JSTOR Daily, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
Senior female associates now earn more in total cash compensation than their male counterparts, and carried interest is nearly balanced at junior levels. Geri Stengel, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 By then, three other suspects in that crew had already been arrested: Clementa Johnson, his cousin, Vernon Green, and another associate, Diori Barnard. Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Marty also was an associate editor at The Christian Century for 50 years, beginning in 1956. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 In some instances, looters have surrendered items and bones unearthed from graves, according to Jim Watson, associate director at the Arizona State Museum. Mary Hudetz, ProPublica, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for associate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for associate
Verb
  • Until an hour or so prior, Messi’s presence on the traveling roster was uncertain, with the Argentine not having played in the club’s previous three matches.
    Pablo Maurer, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Waze, Google Maps, Apple’s navigation app—without them, many drivers would be lost when travelling unfamiliar routes.
    Lisya Bahar Manoah, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Doing this in the large helps to identify what works and doesn’t work in the long run.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • In a closed hearing last month, testimony from several witnesses raised questions about how investigators had used the DNA sample from the knife sheath to identify Kohberger as a suspect.
    Eric Levenson, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Global sea ice extent, which combines the sea ice extents of the Arctic and Antarctic, set a new minimum for the month.
    Andrew Freedman, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
  • At the on-site restaurant, Shola (in House No. 2), seasonal ingredients sourced in the hills and valleys around Karuizawa are stitched into wildly creative dishes that combine Japanese and French cooking methods.
    Brandon Presser, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Connolly, the ranking member, continued the line of questioning, asking whether Adams was pressured, in exchange for dropping the charges, to cooperate with the Trump administration on immigration.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The city has a history of cooperating with federal law enforcement organizations, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, according to his remarks.
    Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Simply mix the lemon and water in the mug, then microwave the mug and mixture for a couple of minutes.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Beard mixed in zone and press in hopes of affecting Florida’s attack.
    Mark Long, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The blockchain idea is being pushed, a HUD official told colleagues, by Irving Dennis.
    Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 7 Mar. 2025
  • My colleagues in medicine and public health are haunted by the trauma yet uplifted by our resilience having survived an existential test.
    Christian Ramers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The United States also hopes to establish long-term human stays on the moon by 2030 as part of the Artemis program spearheaded by NASA and joined by multiple international partners.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In September 1997, NoDa real estate mogul Paul McBroom and partner George Gray reopened it as a live performance venue following renovations with 300 seats, according to Observer archives.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • From automating repetitive tactics to enhancing predictive analytics, AI is not just an auxiliary tool.
    Vamsi Gosu, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The plan includes the construction of a 10,000-square-foot auxiliary hanger plus two additional maintenance hangers.
    Laura Kinsler, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/associate. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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