COMBINE Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

combine 1 of 2

verb

kəm-ˈbīn

Definition of combine

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

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

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

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

The serum combines biomimetic peptides, a root-anchoring complex, and antioxidants to fortify hair on multiple, overlapping fronts. — Kate Gammon, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 The farm's latest maze pays tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton, combining a fall favorite with a celebration of the singer's music and philanthropy. — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

The 6-foot, 197-pound wideout ranked in the 38th percentile or lower in all measurements taken at the 2023 NFL combine. — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Diesel is a workhouse fuel that powers farming equipment, like tractors and combines. — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combine

Verb

Barnett hits first 3-point attempt Luke Barnett, who has arrived at KU with a reputation as an excellent 3- point shooter, connected on his first 3-point try shortly after checking in at the 15-minute mark of the first half.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
But multiple times a date has admitted using AI to learn details about the show without having seen it, just to connect.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of connect

Noun

Industry middlemen acted like a cartel, making sure things never had the potential to change.

— Adam Duxter, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
There’s irony, Gilbert said, in realizing that his father has played rapists, drug dealers, and cartel members without audiences mistaking their beliefs for his own.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cartel

Noun

Yet the combination of grievance politics, inter-generational unfairness and an inescapable sense of decline is what makes France feel so fragile despite its size and its still considerable strengths.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
The combination of Chance downing teams inside the 10-yard line combined with a suffocating defense could be a recipe for success for TCU in the final half of the season.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of combination

Verb

That pulse crushes the fuel, driving its atoms to unite and release their own huge amount of energy, whose nature and effects scientists can study.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Cybersecurity, older and more diffuse, is united by a culture of cynicism, pragmatism, and dark humor.

— Harry Booth, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of unite

Verb

Its existing approvals do not remove the need to integrate and certify the system as part of Valo.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
And Hinge is integrating AI into existing platforms, offering users personalized help with profile creation and conversation starters.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of integrate

Noun

Despite the reactionary politics of the yakuza films, not to mention of the syndicates themselves, Ken-san was very popular among left-wing student protesters in the late nineteen-sixties.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Musk’s name is one of a number of wealthy individuals that Paramount CEO David Ellison has considered tapping for the syndicate, the people said.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of syndicate

Noun

Because of its proportional representation system – voters cast one vote for a national party-list – even the largest parties rarely win more than 35 seats, and Israel has always had coalition governments.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
Years of political turmoil, corruption and the ascendance of a deadly gang coalition are suffocating Haiti’s capital city.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of coalition

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combinations

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combined

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“Combine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combine. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of combine

verb

noun

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