combine 1 of 2

verb

kəm-ˈbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
Definition of combinenext
1
as in to connect
to come together to form a single unit the room's highly varied design elements combine to form a harmonious whole

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mix
to turn into a single mass or entity that is more or less the same throughout combine the sugar and flour in a bowl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

combine

2 of 2

noun

ˈkäm-ˌbīn How to pronounce combine (audio)
1
as in cartel
a number of businesses or enterprises united for commercial advantage charged that the cable companies had formed an illegal combine for the purpose of keeping rates artificially high

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in combination
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection one of the most notorious combines in the history of organized crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb combine differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of combine are associate, connect, join, link, relate, and unite. While all these words mean "to bring or come together into some manner of union," combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

When would associate be a good substitute for combine?

The meanings of associate and combine largely overlap; however, 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 it sensible to use connect instead of combine?

While in some cases nearly identical to combine, connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

When might join be a better fit than combine?

Although the words join and combine have much in common, join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

In what contexts can link take the place of combine?

The synonyms link and combine are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 combine?

The words relate and combine can be used in similar contexts, but relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

When is unite a more appropriate choice than combine?

The words unite and combine 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 combine
Verb
That pushed the company’s market capitalization to $162 billion, which is more than that of Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen AG combined. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2025 This whole project embodies his stories combined with my stories. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
But after talking with sources, a few quarterbacks turned heads during the combine. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025 Stephen Jones said at the combine that the team is ready to look at another young quarterback development project, signaling that Lance’s time with the Cowboys could be over. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for combine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combine
  1. connect
  2. mix
  3. cartel
  4. combination
  5. unite
  6. integrate
  7. syndicate
  8. coalition
Verb
  • This equilateral triangle connects three brilliant stars — Arcturus in Boötes, Spica in Virgo and Denebola in Leo, all of them fixtures of the spring night sky in the Northern Hemisphere.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • From a technical standpoint, the video team connected 10 or 12 receivers around the school that all fed back to a main video village.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of connect
Verb
  • Moisturizing Tanning Oil Frankel mixed L’Oréal’s Lumi Glotion with this tanning oil from Sun Bum, which offers SPF 15 sun protection.
    — Maggie Horton, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Beard mixed in zone and press in hopes of affecting Florida’s attack.
    — Mark Long, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of mix
Noun
  • The Justice Department has determined that Chinese firms have supplied the chemicals Mexican cartels use to make the deadly opioid, and Chinese networks are suspected of laundering drug profits.
    — Myron Brilliant, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
  • These are mostly foreign fraud cartels that prey on unsuspecting clients throughout the world.
    — Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of cartel
Noun
  • The last technology finds leaks in EV battery trays by pressurizing one side of the tray with inert gas and using a combination of a vision system and custom software to detect the minuscule gas plume at a leak and to identify the leak’s location for repair.
    — Jim Vinoski, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The treatment, injected once weekly, is a combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide — the active ingredient in Wegovy.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of combination
Verb
  • As Messi’s team worked together seamlessly on the world’s biggest stage, so too must the team members within any organization—whether in sports or business—unite to achieve its goals.
    — PJ Bain, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • For more than 50 years, the music industry has united around the Spirit of Life campaign, raising nearly $170 million to support City of Hope’s lifesaving research and care.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of unite
Verb
  • These factors are integrated into course material and field sessions non-stop.
    — Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Individuals begin to emotionally integrate the change.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of integrate
Noun
  • With time running out, Khalid reluctantly join forces with Ghali, the only person with intimate knowledge of the syndicate’s operations.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
  • When, a year later, the organization resurfaces and begins trafficking a new drug called Pink Lady across the Middle East, Khalid must reluctantly join forces with Ghali, the only person with intimate knowledge of the syndicate’s operations.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of syndicate
Noun
  • The coalition is led by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
  • While not as successful as Obama, much of Bernie Sanders’s 2016 anti-Hillary campaign was animated by her husband’s transgressions against progressivism, which Trump went on to exploit in the general election in an early assault on the Obama coalition.
    — W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of coalition

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Cite this Entry

“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on combine

Nglish: Translation of combine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about combine

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