interrelate

[ in-ter-ri-leyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, in·ter·re·lat·ed, in·ter·re·lat·ing.

1. to bring or enter into reciprocal relation.

interrelate

/ ˌɪntərɪˈleɪt /

verb

1. to place in or come into a mutual or reciprocal relationship

Derived Forms

• ˌinterreˈlationˌship, noun
• ˌinterreˈlation, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of interrelate¹

First recorded in 1885–90; back formation from interrelated

Example Sentences

It’s not about a culture, it’s not about an industry, it’s about us, and it’s about how we function and how we interrelate.

From Ozy

Egypt is now split along at least four major axes that interrelate in very complex and unstable ways.

From The Daily Beast

Education should seek to associate and interrelate the truths we obtain and to organize our knowledge into an effectual system.

From Project Gutenberg

The k-factor is one of the many factors that interrelate in a society.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affect
• apply
• ascribe
• assign
• associate
• compare
• concern
• connect
• link
• pertain
• refer

More About Interrelate

What does interrelate mean?

When things interrelate, they are closely connected to each other and may affect each other.

Such things can be described with the adjective interrelated. Interrelate can also mean to cause things to become connected in this way.

Interrelate and interrelated are used in situations in which two or more elements strongly influence each other or are closely linked to each other. For example, a study on unemployment and crime in a particular area may conclude that they interrelate. Saying that two things interrelate does not necessarily mean that one causes the other or that they cause each other (though in some cases this may be true).

The word interrelate is typically used in the discussion of complex topics, such as economics, science, and politics. These often involve situations in which multiple things are happening at the same time. Things that interrelate can impact each other or work together to affect something else.

For example, the economy is affected by many factors that interrelate, such as employment, interest rates, and inflation. These and many other factors interrelate to determine the overall state of the economy.

Example: The strength of the hurricane depends on how several factors interrelate, including temperature and air pressure.

Where does interrelate come from?

The first records of the word interrelate come from the 1880s. (The adjective interrelated is recorded earlier, in the 1820s.) Interrelate is made from the prefix inter–, meaning “between” or “reciprocally,” and relate, meaning “to be associated or connected.”

Interrelate usually implies a more complex relationship than relate. When things relate to each other, they are connected in some way. But when they are said to interrelate, this usually means that the connections are complicated and perhaps not fully understood. When things interrelate, they form an interrelation or interrelationship.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to interrelate?

• interrelated (past tense verb, adjective)
• interrelation (noun)

What are some synonyms for interrelate?

• interconnect
• intertwine

What are some words that share a root or word element with interrelate? 

• relate
• interrelationship
• interplay
• interdependent

What are some words that often get used in discussing interrelate?

• connect
• linked
• associated
• relationship
• association
• factors
• causes
• effects
• correlated
• correlation

How is interrelate used in real life?

Interrelate is used in complicated situations in which multiple factors are working together or affecting each other.

DRAFT: The different kinds of "ops" teams and how they interrelate. #martech

What do you think? Is this accurate? Are there other kinds of "ops" in this mix that should be identified? pic.twitter.com/WtH5qmdmWI

— Scott Brinker (@chiefmartec) November 11, 2020

Interesting research on how the interventions to reduce sexual exploitation of children and adolescents must consider individual, social, and structural factors and how they interrelate. https://t.co/YGso7THt1m

— KSAC (@Kawartha_SAC) November 7, 2020

Words, numbers, notes, pictures, things, processes. Philosophy is the struggle to understand how reality contains them all and how they interrelate.

— john milbank (@johnmilbank3) January 14, 2019

 

 

Try using interrelate!

Is interrelate used correctly in the following sentence?

She argued that the issues of hunger and poverty always interrelate: You couldn’t have one without the other.