join: implies a bringing into some degree of contact or conjunction of clearly discrete things: ~ed forces in an effort to win. (discrete不同、离散: 表面相似接近实际独立分开: two discrete issures are confused here两个不同问题被混淆了)
combine: implies a merging or mingling that obscures the identity of each unit: ~ the ingredients for a cake.
unite: stresses the bond by which two or more individual entities are joined and implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity: the colonies ~d to form a republic.
connect: suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity: a bridge ~s the island to the mainland.
link: may imply strong attachment or inseparability of elements: a name forever ~ed with liberty.
associate: stresses the mere fact of occurrence or existence together in space or in logical sequence: opera is popularly ~d with high society.
relate: suggests the existence of a real or presumed natural or logical connection: the two events were not ~d.