to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc.

Many people associate dark clouds with depression and gloom.

to join as a companion, partner, or ally

to associate oneself with a cause.

to unite; combine

coal associated with shale.

to enter into union; unite.

to keep company, as a friend, companion, or ally

He was accused of associating with known criminals.

to join together as partners or colleagues.

a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking; partner; colleague; fellow worker

He consulted with his associates before proceeding further.

a companion or comrade

my most intimate associates.

a confederate; an accomplice or ally

criminal associates.

anything usually accompanying or associated with another; an accompaniment or concomitant.

a person who is admitted to a subordinate degree of membership in an association or institution

an associate of the Royal Academy.

connected, joined, or related, esp. as a companion or colleague; having equal or nearly equal responsibility

an associate partner.

having subordinate status; without full rights and privileges

an associate member.

allied; concomitant.

noun

antagonist , competitor , enemy , foe , opponent , rival , stranger

verb

disconnect , disjoin , dissociate , disunite , divide , part , separate , sever , avoid , disassociate , divorce

noun

accessory , accomplice , affiliate , aid , ally , assistant , auxiliary , branch , buddy , chum , clubber , cohort , collaborator , companion , compatriot , comrade , confederate , consort , cooperator , co-worker , crony , fellow , friend , helper , joiner , kissing cousin , mate , offshoot , one of the folks , pal , pard , partner , peer , playmate , sidekick , colleague , copartner , attendant , concomitant , affiliation , alliance , association , brotherhood , coperator , comity , companionship , compeer , concomitance , concomitancy , confrre , congress , conjunction , connotation , consortium , fraternity , group , intimate , partnership , symbiosis , yoke-fellow

verb

affiliate , blend , bracket , combine , concord , conjoin , correlate , couple , group , identify , join , league , link , lump together , mix , pair , relate , think of together , unite , yoke , accompany , amalgamate , be friends , be in cahoots , buddy up , bunch up , come together , confederate , consort , fraternize , gang up , get in on , get into , get in with , get together , go along with , go partners , hang around , hang out , hang out with , hobnob , join up with , line up with , mingle , pal up , play footsie with , pool , 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 , ally , bind , connect , run , troop , adjunct , aide , assistant , buddy , chum , cohort , colleague , companion , confidant , counterpart , crony , federate , friend , helper , intimate , partner , peer , sidekick , socialize