related; relating
1
: to give an account of : tell
2
: to show or establish logical or causal connection between
seeks to relate crime to poverty
1
: to apply or take effect retroactively
—usually used with back
the law relates back to the initial date of decision
2
: to have relationship or connection
the readings relate to his lectures
3
: to have or establish a relationship : interact
the way a child relates to a teacher
4
a
: to respond especially favorably
can't relate to that kind of music
b
: to understand and like or have sympathy for someone or something
Those who have experienced the same hardship can relate.
characters the reader can easily relate to
Examples of relate in a Sentence
You must be feeling awful. I went through something similar myself last year, so I can relate.
We listened eagerly as she related the whole exciting story.
Recent Examples on the Web
Other income was $43,000, compared to $55,000 in the previous year, due to a lower cash balance and related lower interest income.
—
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The pair was introduced by Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, who affectionately referred to Rowland as one of her bonus daughters, though the two are not biologically related.
—Mikelle Street, WWD, 26 Oct. 2024
The Department of Agriculture said in early August more than a dozen pre-packaged and bulk summer vegetables were being recalled due to possible listeria contamination, though no illnesses have been reported in association with that recall—the two do not appear to be related.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Laura Crivello's decision ensures the jury will deliberate over all charges related the grisly murder of Robinson, who was a Milwaukee Area Technical College student.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relate 
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Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The pair was introduced by Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, who affectionately referred to Rowland as one of her bonus daughters, though the two are not biologically related.
—Mikelle Street, WWD, 26 Oct. 2024
The Department of Agriculture said in early August more than a dozen pre-packaged and bulk summer vegetables were being recalled due to possible listeria contamination, though no illnesses have been reported in association with that recall—the two do not appear to be related.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Laura Crivello's decision ensures the jury will deliberate over all charges related the grisly murder of Robinson, who was a Milwaukee Area Technical College student.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relate
Dictionary Entries Near relate
Cite this Entry
“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
relate
verb
re·late
ri-ˈlāt 
related; relating
1
: to give an account of : tell
relate a story
2
: to show or establish a relationship between
relate cause and effect
3
: to have relationship or connection : refer
the readings relate to the class discussions
4
: to have or establish a social relationship
the way a child relates to a teacher
5
: to respond especially in a favorable way
can't relate to that kind of music
Medical Definition
relate
intransitive verb
re·late
ri-ˈlāt
related; relating
: to have meaningful social relationships : interact realistically
an inability to relate emotionally to others—Willow Lawson
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