relations

noun

plural of relation
1
as in interaction
doings between individuals or groups relations between the rival newspapers remained friendly despite their competition for the same stories

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2
as in sex
sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis a law that prohibits relations between close relatives

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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 relations Treated almost as living beings themselves, many of the artworks in the LACMA installation take up animate relations to one another. — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 Israel has seen its own relations with Turkey deteriorate during Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s more than two-decade rule. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The expansion of the Pell grants to short-term programs has been a decade in the making, said Jim Hermes, associate vice president of government relations at the American Association of Community Colleges. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey began to normalize relations and do business in the country. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Customers should keep the packaging and call Horizon Organic Dairy customer relations at 1-888-494-3020 for refund information. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 His tenure ended messily, with reports of deteriorating team relations and a dugout incident. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 And Zimmerman’s trial became a lightning rod for race relations across America. — Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 The move prompted dollar-for-dollar retaliation from Ottawa and strained already-tense relations between the neighbors and longtime allies. — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relations
  1. interaction
  2. mating
Noun
  • The two ended up walking away laughing, and Luiz’s grin rode right into the next conversation, drill or interaction with anyone on the field.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The use of smartphones, self-service kiosks, and noise-canceling headphones reduces human interaction.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of interaction
Noun
  • The famed Big 5 (elephants, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and lions) are all easily spotted in these lands, but the diverse habitats provide opportunities for different behavioral sightings, from feeding to bathing and mating.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
  • For the past eight years, that's when Jackie and Shadow have begun reinforcing their nest and mating.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of mating

Phrases Containing relations

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Cite this Entry

“Relations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relations. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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