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Definitions

associate

[uh-soh-shee-eyt, -see-, uh-soh-shee-it, -eyt, -see-] / əˈsoʊ ʃiˌeɪt, -si-, əˈsoʊ ʃi ɪt, -ˌeɪt, -si- /
NOUN
colleague
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplice ally assistant buddy co-worker cohort collaborator companion comrade crony fellow friend partner
STRONG
accessory affiliate aid auxiliary branch chum compatriot confederate consort cooperator helper joiner mate offshoot pal peer playmate sidekick
WEAK
clubber kissing cousin one of the folks pard
Antonyms
STRONGEST
enemy foe opponent
WEAK
antagonist competitor rival stranger
VERB
connect in the mind
Synonyms
STRONGEST
combine correlate identify join link mix relate
STRONG
affiliate blend bracket concord conjoin couple group league pair unite yoke
WEAK
lump together think of together
Antonyms
STRONGEST
detach disconnect dissociate divide separate
STRONG
disjoin disperse
WEAK
avoid disassociate disunite divorce part sever
VERB
befriend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accompany join mix
STRONG
amalgamate confederate consort fraternize hobnob mingle pool
WEAK
be friends be in cahoots buddy up bunch up come together gang up get in on get in with get into get together go along with go partners hang around hang out hang out with join up with line up with pal up play footsie with run around with run with string along with swing with take up with team up throw in together tie in tie up truck with work with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
divide leave separate withdraw
STRONG
disagree
WEAK
avoid disassociate disconnect disjoin dissociate disunite divorce part sever

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“For him, counterterrorism is kinetic and it’s against one type of enemy: the jihadist enemy,” said an associate who has known Gorka for two decades.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

The sale of Casey Wasserman’s talent and marketing agency following the release of emails between him and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell drew interest from private-equity firms and big Hollywood investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

The research team also included Matthew J. Baker, associate professor of linguistics at Brigham Young University, and Jordan Smith, assistant professor of English at the University of Northern Colorado.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

She is currently the associate director of the Centre for Public Policy and previously worked as director of the John Smith Centre.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

“Charles is very fond of you. You know that. Besides, the police don’t know who you are. I don’t think they’ll be likely to associate you with that other business.”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary lists containing associate

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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50 Words from Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice"

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Workshop 1, Part 1

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