Synonyms of relation

relation

noun

ri-ˈlā-shən 

1

as in interaction

relations plural doings between individuals or groups

relations between the rival newspapers remained friendly despite their competition for the same stories

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interaction
• intercourse
• dealings
• commerce
• interrelationship
• companionship
• company
• cross-fertilization
• cross-pollination

2

as in relative

a person connected with another by blood or marriage

he and I are relations on my mother's side

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relative
• cousin
• family
• kin
• kinsman
• in-law
• folk
• house
• people
• lineage
• tribe
• blood
• race
• clan
• stock
• kissing cousin
• kindred
• line
• kinswoman
• kinsfolk
• kinfolk

3

as in relationship

the fact or state of having something in common

there's no relation between you losing your favorite baseball hat and your team losing the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relationship
• kinship
• connection
• association
• correlation
• linkage
• affinity
• bearing
• link
• liaison
• similarity
• resemblance
• interrelation
• relevance
• bond
• tie
• pertinence
• affiliation
• union
• materiality
• accordance
• alliance
• agreement
• correspondence
• likeness
• identicalness
• conformity
• sameness
• community
• alikeness
• congruity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• variance
• variability
• incompatibility
• incongruity
• incongruence
• incongruousness

4

as in partnership

the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters)

our intramural baseball team had a relation with the other baseball teams in the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relationship
• partnership
• association
• collaboration
• connection
• cooperation
• affiliation
• interaction
• union
• liaison
• alliance
• dealings
• merger
• confederation
• solidarity
• kinship
• integration
• interrelation
• exchange
• hookup
• interconnection
• reciprocity
• tie-up
• unification
• linkup
• incorporation
• unity
• symbiosis
• intimacy
• affinity
• sympathy
• attachment
• rapport
• business
• oneness
• mutualism
• companionship
• closeness
• company
• togetherness
• bed
• league
• fellowship
• colleagueship
• cahoots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dissociation
• dissolution
• separation
• division
• breakup
• split
• severance
• disaffiliation
• divorce
• alienation
• parting
• disunion
• estrangement

5

as in sex

relations plural sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis

a law that prohibits relations between close relatives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sex
• intercourse
• coupling
• mating
• commerce
• sex act
• sexual relations
• copulation
• making love
• sexual intercourse
• coitus
• coition
• getting it on
• lovemaking
• copulating
• sexuality
• congress
• breeding
• fornication
• safe sex
• carnality
• insemination
• dalliance
• hanky-panky
• whoopee

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relation

Jobs are now listed for Iowa, though the job responsibilities for a government relations manager still include interfacing with Kentucky’s economic development team. — Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

The relation of the field to the future of the work begins with the material nature of the object. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv have flourished in the five years since the United Arab Emirates and Israel normalized relations in 2020, analysts say. — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026

The timing also suits Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wants to show good Gulf relations ahead of elections, Maksad said. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026