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communicate

communicated; communicating; communicates

To communicate is to exchange words, feelings, or information with others. They did communicate through texting and picture sharing, but the hug he gave his mom when he came home from college communicated more love than any instant message.

There are countless ways to communicate! Using an exclamation point in the first sentence is a way to communicate excitement at the many ways to use communicate. A facial expression can communicate joy or anger, and something written can communicate ideas and instructions. Cave men learned to communicate by drawing on cave walls, and people in modern times communicate electronically. Up close or far away, humans and animals — and some would say extraterrestrials, too — are born to communicate.

Definitions of communicate
  1. verb
    transfer to another
    communicate a disease”
    synonyms: convey, transmit
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    types:
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    pass, pass along, pass on, put across
    transmit information
    implant, plant
    put firmly in the mind
    send a message
    give or constitute a signal, not necessarily verbally
    relay
    pass along
    get across, put over
    communicate successfully
    bespeak, call for, quest, request
    express the need or desire for; ask for
    acknowledge, receipt
    report the receipt of
    carry
    pass on a communication
    deliver, render, return
    pass down
    message
    send as a message
    message
    send a message to
    type of:
    transfer
    move from one place to another
  2. verb
    join or connect
    “The rooms communicated
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    type of:
    intercommunicate
    be interconnected, afford passage
  3. verb
    transmit information
    “Please communicate this message to all employees”
    synonyms: pass, pass along, pass on, put across
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    types:
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    implant, plant
    put firmly in the mind
    send a message
    give or constitute a signal, not necessarily verbally
    relay
    pass along
    get across, put over
    communicate successfully
    bespeak, call for, quest, request
    express the need or desire for; ask for
    acknowledge, receipt
    report the receipt of
    carry
    pass on a communication
    deliver, render, return
    pass down
    message
    send as a message
    message
    send a message to
    order
    make a request for something
    ask
    make a request or demand for something to somebody
    encore
    request an encore, from a performer
    petition
    write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing
    demand
    request urgently and forcefully
    appeal, invoke
    request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection
    supplicate
    ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
    apply
    ask (for something)
    beg, solicit, tap
    make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently
    reserve
    obtain or arrange (for oneself) in advance
    challenge
    ask for identification
    beg off, excuse
    ask for permission to be released from an engagement
    demand
    ask to be informed of
    claim
    ask for legally or make a legal claim to, as of debts, for example
    call for, invite
    request the participation or presence of
    ask in, invite
    ask to enter
    desire
    express a desire for
    beg
    ask to obtain free
    arrogate, claim, lay claim
    demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to
    ask over, ask round, invite
    invite someone to one's house
    call
    call a meeting; invite or command to meet
    ask out, invite out, take out
    make a date
    book, hold, reserve
    arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
    text
    send a brief electronic communication from one cellphone to another
    type of:
    convey, transmit
    transfer to another
  4. verb
    be in verbal contact; interchange information or ideas
    “He and his sons haven't communicated for years”
    “Do you communicate well with your advisor?”
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    types:
    message
    send a message
    type of:
    interact
    act together or towards others or with others
  5. verb
    transmit thoughts or feelings
    “He communicated his anxieties to the psychiatrist”
    synonyms: intercommunicate
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    types:
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    grimace, make a face, pull a face
    contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state
    gab, yak
    talk profusely
    finger-spell, fingerspell
    communicate by means of specific gestures, as an alternative to sign language
    aphorise, aphorize
    speak or write in aphorisms
    riddle
    speak in riddles
    project
    communicate vividly
    contact, get hold of, get through, reach
    be in or establish communication with
    bring down, impose, inflict, visit
    impose something unpleasant
    commune
    communicate intimately with; be in a state of heightened, intimate receptivity
    ask, enquire, inquire
    inquire about
    telecommunicate
    communicate over long distances, as via the telephone or e-mail
    inform
    impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
    jest, joke
    tell a joke; speak humorously
    blog
    read, write, or edit a shared online journal
    greet
    send greetings to
    address, turn to
    speak to
    nod
    lower and raise the head, as to indicate assent or agreement or confirmation
    sign
    communicate in sign language
    mouth, speak, talk, utter, verbalise, verbalize
    express in speech
    speak, talk
    exchange thoughts; talk with
    speak, talk
    use language
    gesticulate, gesture, motion
    show, express, or direct through movement
    telepathise, telepathize
    communicate nonverbally by telepathy
    write
    communicate or express by writing
    radio
    transmit messages via radio waves
    write
    communicate by letter
    network
    communicate with and within a group
    sign, signal, signalise, signalize
    communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
    semaphore
    convey by semaphore, of information
    whistle
    utter or express by whistling
    give, throw
    convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture
    give, pay
    convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow
    give, render
    bestow
    carry, convey, express
    serve as a means for expressing something
    issue
    bring out an official document (such as a warrant)
    come across, come over
    communicate the intended meaning or impression
    share
    communicate
    get
    communicate with a place or person; establish communication with, as if by telephone
    wax
    write or speak in a specified manner
    wink
    signal by winking
    squinch, squint
    cross one's eyes as if in strabismus
    wince
    make a face indicating disgust or dislike
    exsert, extend, hold out, put out, stretch forth, stretch out
    thrust or extend out
    smile
    change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
    frown, glower, lour, lower
    look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
    shrug
    raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation
    clap, spat
    clap one's hands together
    screw up
    twist into a strained configuration
    mop, mow, pout
    make a sad face and thrust out one's lower lip
    measure, quantify
    express as a number or measure or quantity
    wise up
    cause someone to become aware of something
    read
    look at, interpret, and say out loud something that is written or printed
    ping
    send a message from one computer to another to check whether it is reachable and active
    ping
    contact, usually in order to remind of something
    raise
    establish radio communications with
    phonate, vocalise, vocalize
    utter speech sounds
    troll
    speak or recite rapidly or in a rolling voice
    dictate, order, prescribe
    issue commands or orders for
    begin
    begin to speak or say
    intrude, obtrude
    thrust oneself in as if by force
    clamp
    impose or inflict forcefully
    give
    inflict as a punishment
    foist
    force onto another
    pray
    address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
    carry on, continue, go on, proceed
    continue talking
    pry
    be nosey
    call, call up, phone, ring, telephone
    get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone
    telex
    communicate by telex
    discourse, dissertate, hold forth
    talk at length and formally about a topic
    lip off, shoot one's mouth off
    speak spontaneously and without restraint
    pontificate
    talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner
    orate
    talk pompously
    instruct, learn, teach
    impart skills or knowledge to
    apprise, apprize, instruct
    make aware of
    inoculate
    introduce an idea or attitude into the mind of
    acquaint
    inform
    warn
    notify, usually in advance
    inform
    act as an informer
    fill in
    supply with information on a specific topic
    update
    bring up to date; supply with recent information
    misinform, mislead
    give false or misleading information to
    downplay, minimise, minimize, understate
    represent as less significant or important
    betray, denounce, give away, grass, rat, shop, snitch, stag, tell on
    give away information about somebody
    gag, quip
    make jokes or quips
    fool, fool around, horse around
    indulge in horseplay
    undeceive
    free from deception or illusion
    acclaim, applaud, clap, spat
    clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
    bless, sign
    make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
    warn
    notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
    advise, apprise, apprize, give notice, notify, send word
    inform (somebody) of something
    acquaint, familiarise, familiarize
    make familiar or conversant with
    confer with, consult
    get or ask advice from
    cue, prompt, remind
    assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned
    volunteer
    tell voluntarily
    compliment
    express respect or esteem for
    dedicate
    inscribe or address by way of compliment
    ask
    address a question to and expect an answer from
    nod
    express or signify by nodding
    cross oneself
    make the sign of the cross; in the Catholic religion
    bow, bow down
    bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head
    acquaint, introduce, present
    cause to come to know personally
    regret
    express with regret
    shout
    utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
    whisper
    speak softly; in a low voice
    peep
    speak in a hesitant and high-pitched tone of voice
    speak up
    speak louder; raise one's voice
    snap, snarl
    utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
    enthuse
    utter with enthusiasm
    designate, indicate, point, show
    indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
    indicate
    state or express briefly
    indicate, suggest
    suggest the necessity of an intervention; in medicine
    speak in tongues
    speak unintelligibly in or as if in religious ecstasy
    nark
    inform or spy (for the police)
    explain, explicate
    make plain and comprehensible
    swallow
    utter indistinctly
    verbalise, verbalize
    be verbose
    whiff
    utter with a puff of air
    talk about, talk of
    discuss or mention
    blubber, blubber out
    utter while crying
    drone, drone on
    talk in a monotonous voice
    tell
    let something be known
    narrate, recite, recount, tell
    narrate or give a detailed account of
    narrate
    provide commentary for a film, for example
    talk down
    speak in a condescending manner, as if to a child
    spiel
    speak at great length (about something)
    dogmatise, dogmatize
    speak dogmatically
    cheek
    speak impudently to
    run on
    talk or narrate at length
    smatter
    speak with spotty or superficial knowledge
    slang
    use slang or vulgar language
    level
    talk frankly with; lay it on the line
    talk turkey
    discuss frankly, often in a business context
    monologuise, monologuize, soliloquise, soliloquize
    talk to oneself
    converse, discourse
    carry on a conversation
    account, describe, report
    give an account or representation of in words
    report
    make known to the authorities
    cover, report
    be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism
    announce, denote
    make known; make an announcement
    bumble, falter, stammer, stutter
    speak haltingly
    rasp
    utter in a grating voice
    blunder, blunder out, blurt, blurt out, ejaculate
    utter impulsively
    inflect, modulate, tone
    vary the pitch of one's speech
    deliver, present
    deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
    disabuse
    free somebody (from an erroneous belief)
    shake
    shake (a body part) to communicate a greeting, feeling, or cognitive state
    write in
    write to an organization
    style
    make consistent with certain rules of style
    apostrophise, apostrophize
    use an apostrophe
    rewrite
    write differently; alter the writing of
    sign, subscribe
    mark with one's signature; write one's name (on)
    type, typewrite
    write by means of a keyboard with types
    handwrite
    write by hand
    jot, jot down
    write briefly or hurriedly; write a short note of
    scrabble, scribble
    write down quickly without much attention to detail
    cable, telegraph, wire
    send cables, wires, or telegrams
    facsimile, fax, telefax
    send something via a facsimile machine
    point out, remonstrate
    present and urge reasons in opposition
    bear witness, evidence, prove, show, testify
    provide evidence for
    get down, put down, set down, write down
    put down in writing; of texts, musical compositions, etc.
    generalise, generalize
    speak or write in generalities
    e-mail, email, netmail
    communicate electronically on the computer
    blab, blabber, chatter, clack, gabble, gibber, maunder, palaver, piffle, prate, prattle, tattle, tittle-tattle, twaddle, yammer
    speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
    chatter
    make noise as if chattering away
    jaw, rattle on, yack, yack away, yap away
    talk incessantly and tiresomely
    butterfly, chat up, coquet, coquette, dally, flirt, mash, philander, romance
    talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
    wigwag
    signal by or as if by a flag or light waved according to a code
    semaphore
    send signals by or as if by semaphore
    heliograph
    signal by means of a mirror and the using the sun's rays
    flag
    communicate or signal with a flag
    open up
    talk freely and without inhibition
    beckon, wave
    signal with the hands or nod
    dish the dirt, gossip
    wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies
    rap
    talk volubly
    snivel, whine
    talk in a tearful manner
    whistle
    give a signal by whistling
    murmur
    speak softly or indistinctly
    maunder, mumble, mussitate, mutter
    talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
    slur
    utter indistinctly
    bark
    speak in an unfriendly tone
    bay
    utter in deep prolonged tones
    jabber, mouth off, rabbit on, rant, rave, spout
    talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
    hiss, sibilate, siss, sizz
    express or utter with a hiss
    cackle
    talk or utter in a cackling manner
    call
    send a message or attempt to reach someone by radio, phone, etc.; make a signal to in order to transmit a message
    cut, issue, make out, write out
    make out and issue
    babble
    utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way
    chant, intone, tone
    utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
    gulp
    utter or make a noise, as when swallowing too quickly
    write up
    bring to public notice by writing, with praise or condemnation
    pun
    make a play on words
    sing
    produce tones with the voice
    extend, offer
    offer verbally
    address, call
    greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name
    deadpan
    speak in a deliberately impassive or serious manner
    text
    communicate by means of brief electronic communications, usually sent from one’s cellphone
    type of:
    interact
    act together or towards others or with others
  6. verb
    administer Communion; in church
    Synonyms:
    commune
    receive Communion, in the Catholic church
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    Antonyms:
    curse, excommunicate, unchurch
    exclude from a church or a religious community
    excommunicate
    oust or exclude from a group or membership by decree
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    type of:
    covenant
    enter into a covenant or formal agreement
  7. verb
    receive Communion, in the Catholic church
    synonyms: commune
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    type of:
    covenant
    enter into a covenant or formal agreement
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘communicate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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