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Definitions

associative

[uh-soh-shee-ey-tiv, -see-, -shuh-tiv] / əˈsoʊ ʃiˌeɪ tɪv, -si-, -ʃə tɪv /
ADJECTIVE
clannish
Synonyms
WEAK
akin alike cliquish close insular like narrow related reserved restricting restrictive sectarian unfriendly unreceptive
Antonyms
WEAK
friendly open welcoming
ADJECTIVE
concomitant
Synonyms
STRONG
accessory adjuvant attendant attending belonging coefficient coeval collateral complementary contemporary coordinate corollary fellow incident joint satellite
WEAK
agreeing ancillary associated with coetaneous coexistent coincident coincidental concordant concurrent conjoined conjoined with connected contemporaneous coterminous coupled with in tempo in time isochronal isochronous synchronal synchronous synergetic synergistic
Antonyms
WEAK
accidental chance unrelated

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.

The concept of associative play refers to how well a player links up with his team-mates.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

Most of his lyrics read the way poems do, abandoning the typical verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-verse-chorus structure of standard pop songs for the loosely associative through line typical of free-verse poetry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

“This is an associative poetic art show,” Simpson says of the 18 participating artists.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025

Inching close to the actor and composer, he played free associative word games with his name and pointed out the absurdity of the situation.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2025

He describes the slowly rotating Earth viewed from the lunar surface and imagines the continents and oceans of our planet to produce some associative image like the Man in the Moon.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan