RELATES Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

relates

verb

present tense third-person singular of relate

as in communes

to form a close personal relationship she and I relate so well it's almost like we're siblings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in describes

to give an oral or written account of in some detail we asked our uncle to relate the story of his visit to communist Russia many years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in pertains

to have a relation or connection how does your comment relate to what the rest of us have been talking about for the last hour?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in associates

to think of (something) in combination most Americans probably relate tea to the United Kingdom and coffee to the U.S.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 relates Most of the funding gap relates specifically to weapons purchases, Zelensky said, and future financing for Ukraine could come in the form of deals for sharing technology and joint drone production. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 And then Mowbray relates some personal evidence of what has not changed — Middlesbrough’s attachment to football. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Musk’s father, Errol Musk, is interviewed in the film and relates a telling incident in which the family drove by the scene of a man who was being resuscitated by the side of the road. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 Because the girl relates well to you, continue to fill that role. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026 Some of the bill’s language relates directly to e-bikes, specifically to those making and selling the devices, while other sections of the bill address speeds for everyone using bike paths, multiuse trails and sidewalks. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Each and every item relates in some way to the novel’s storyline, yet miraculously, many of the objects were sourced before the book was even written. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026 The Bible relates the remarkable transformation of Saul of Tarsus – at one time a violent persecutor of Christians – who became a powerful teacher-by-example of love and peace. — Margaret Rogers, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026 This formula relates directly to the cash generation that is available to be paid to the company’s shareholders and debtholders. — Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relates

Verb

The young man who bonds with the ghost of his a–hole father while trapped in a gooey cushion of whale intestines stays with the ghost of his a–hole father.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Mia, the kindly next-door neighbor, and her daughter, Noora (Henrikke Lund-Olsen), who bonds with Elia at school.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of bonds

Verb

And now, the newest update about Hilton’s situation pertains to his finances.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
The document, which largely pertains to the district’s use of school resource officers, states that Flock cameras will be on campus for at least two years and were installed at no cost to the school district.

— Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of pertains

Verb

Innova also associates afternoon snacking specifically with satisfaction, while other dayparts lean toward refreshment or indulgence.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
The Shiji associates Sun Tzu with Wu’s campaigns against its powerful rival Chu, including the campaign that culminated in the capture of the Chu capital, Ying, in 506 bce.

— Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of associates

Verb

Based on Aira Bonfim’s in-depth research, the short film tells the story of Dona Carlota Rezende, the coach of the pioneering female football team Primavera Atlético Clube, in the 1940s.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Tasca tells Robb Report that the original developmental vines were obtained through a nursery that sold them only for trial purposes, but then the experiment became part of a larger initiative.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of tells

Verb

The approach applies manufacturing practices to research and development, allowing engineers and machinists to modify components and processes quickly as designs evolve.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
The event’s organizer argues the law applies to contests between people, not robots.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of applies

Verb

If an assessment identifies an imminent threat covered by the bill, evaluators must notify Commerce within 72 hours of completing their review.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
The Commission’s proposed 46% target falls short of that ambition, and of its own analysis, which identifies 50% as the economically optimal pathway to 2040.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of identifies

Verb

Look at how, in Dance Party, Clint Smith recounts his speaker’s dance movement experience with his kiddos.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
In it, Viard recounts how she was told over lunch with Alain Wertheimer, global executive chairman of Chanel, that she was being let go.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026