relate to
phrasal verb
related to; relating to; relates to
1
: to connect (something) with (something else)
Few of the people who became sick related their symptoms to the food they'd eaten the day before.
2
: to understand and like or have sympathy for (someone or something)
I can relate to your feelings.
I've never been able to relate to him very well.
He writes songs that people can really relate to.
3
—used to describe how someone talks to or behaves toward (someone else)
How a child relates to her teacher can affect her education.
4
: to be connected with (someone or something) : to be about (someone or something)
The readings relate to the class discussions.
—often used as (be) related toThe exam questions are directly related to the readings.
Examples of relate to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With more than 600 million copies of the books sold worldwide, and everything related to them continuing to do well years after the initial release of the books, one wonders how this series remains popular despite the deluge of young adult novels (and controversy) that followed it.
—
JSTOR Daily, 12 Oct. 2025
People still are prohibited from carrying guns — openly or concealed — in certain areas, including schools and university campuses; professional athletic events not related to firearms; hospitals; police stations; courts and polling places.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
This can lead to long-term complications, especially in older adults, related to long-term kidney problems.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 11 Oct. 2025
His dispute with the veteran’s charity was one of several incidents related to Pulte’s Twitter philanthropy that drew him unwanted attention.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
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JSTOR Daily, 12 Oct. 2025
People still are prohibited from carrying guns — openly or concealed — in certain areas, including schools and university campuses; professional athletic events not related to firearms; hospitals; police stations; courts and polling places.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
This can lead to long-term complications, especially in older adults, related to long-term kidney problems.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 11 Oct. 2025
His dispute with the veteran’s charity was one of several incidents related to Pulte’s Twitter philanthropy that drew him unwanted attention.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relate to
Cite this Entry
“Relate to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relate%20to. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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