attach

verb

ə-ˈtach How to pronounce attach (audio)
Definition of attachnext
1
as in to affix
to cause (something) to hold to another you can attach the buttons to the puppet with fabric glue

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to appoint
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty attached the colonel to the new regiment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to confiscate
to take ownership or control of (something) by right of one's authority attached the house for nonpayment of property taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word attach distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of attach are affix, fasten, and fix. While all these words mean "to make something stay firmly in place," attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

When could affix be used to replace attach?

The words affix and attach can be used in similar contexts, but affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

Where would fasten be a reasonable alternative to attach?

In some situations, the words fasten and attach are roughly equivalent. However, fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

When is it sensible to use fix instead of attach?

The synonyms fix and attach are sometimes interchangeable, but fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

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 attach What’s new is that this is the first time a dollar figure has been attached to the plan. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 Use a drill or screwdriver to remove the existing handles or knobs, then attach a new set. — Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026 Both company’s come together on a leather tag attached to the laces, featuring the brands’ logos. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 The transmitter can only be removed by physically cutting the band it's attached to, the office noted. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attach
  1. affix
  2. appoint
  3. confiscate
  4. nominate
  5. assign
  6. constitute
  7. designate
  8. name
Verb
  • Rounding out her ensemble, Camilla stepped into a pair of beige Eliot Zed heels affixed with buckle accents and short heels.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • These cameras are identified as small black boxes usually affixed to light fixtures and accompanied by a solar panel facing public roadways.
    — TJ Rhodes, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of affix
Verb
  • Licata and Fort Worth ISD’s Board of Managers implemented the Elevate model for the district’s most struggling campuses shortly after they were appointed to their jobs by the Texas Education Agency as part of its takeover of the district.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • To respect constitutional separation of powers and separation of executive authority, dedicated inspectors general would be appointed in the commission to investigate specific executive branches and the legislature.
    — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of appoint
Verb
  • When referee Rick Knox confiscated the belt, Christian loaded up his wrist brace with a wrench.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Citing medical privacy laws, Ryan Gustin, a spokesperson for CoreCivic, declined to answer questions about Bartko’s allegations that her medication was confiscated and withheld from her for nearly two weeks.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • Travel advisors, industry leaders and other contributors nominated towns across the United States.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • And when the Democrats nominate candidates, James Talarico would be a great Senate candidate in California.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of nominate
Verb
  • In one simulation, the AI initially assigned a 72% probability that a nearby vessel was simply passing through.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In northern Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, Russian forces are reportedly disbanding some tank battalions and reallocating younger servicemembers to drone units, while assigning other personnel to assault units.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of assign
Verb
  • Kalshi has previously denied that its prediction markets constitute gambling, because users taking a position with an event contract are always countered by another user, not the platform itself, as would be the case with a sportsbook.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This informational and educational article does not offer or constitute, and should not be relied upon as tax or financial advice.
    — Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of constitute
Verb
  • Those players are automatically designated to return and are eligible to play beginning in Week 5.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Both alumina and gallium have been designated critical minerals by the US government.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of designate
Verb
  • Anna, for her part, names Jude and Naheim; and Jude himself names Anna and Naheim.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • While most of the vandals ripping down automatic license plate readers prefer to go incognito, an Albuquerque character named Jevon Martinez isn’t afraid to show his face.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of name

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at speed
attach
attaché
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Cite this Entry

“Attach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attach. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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